Dielectric Response Due to Combine Effect of Soil and Vegetation Layer (Grass) at C-Band Microwave Frequency

Abstract

Present paper consists of laboratory measurements of complex dielectric properties of bare/uncovered soil and soil covered with vegetation (dry and green grass) at C-band microwave frequency at 30° C. The soil sample was collected from Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India. The Von Hippel method is used to measure complex dielectric properties using an automated C-band microwave bench set-up. The least square fitting technique is used to calculate dielectric constant ε΄, dielectric loss ε΄΄ and errors in their measurements. From measured dielectric properties, emissivity and brightness temperature are estimated at different angles of incidence using Fresnel equations. The comparative study of complex dielectric properties of bare/uncovered soil and soil covered with vegetation (dry and green grass) is a unique effort. This study provides useful information for interpretation of microwave remote sensing data of soil moisture under vegetation cover (grass).