Optical properties of etiolated plant tissues

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Abstract
Etiolated tissues of several plants are multiple bundles of fiber optics capable of coherent transfer of light over at least 20 mm. The acceptance angles (the angles at which light can be intercepted and then internally reflected longitudinally) for mung beans, oats and corn [Phaseolus aureus, Avena sativa cv. Lodi, and Zea mays, respectively] are 47.degree., 59.degree. and 52.degree.-54.degree., respectively. The shapes of the curves that describe the acceptance angles are the same for various tissues of the same plant but differ between species. The pattern of light transmitted longitudinally through a tissue is dependent on the angle at which the light intercepts the side of the tissue and is strongly influenced by the tissue geometry. When 0.5 mm of the tip is irradiated, the amount of light traveling down the shaded side of the coleoptile is equal to or 2- to 3-fold greater than the amount traveling down the lighted side.