Estimation of rice growth parameters by X-band radar backscattering data

Microwave remote sensing has great potential, especially in monsoon Asia, since optical observations are often hampered by cloudy conditions. The radar backscattering characteristics of rice crop were investigated with a ground-based automatic scatterometer system. The system was installed inside a shelter in an experimental paddy field at the National Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology (NIAST) before transplanting. The rice cultivar was a kind of Japonica type, called Chuchung. The scatterometer system consists of X-band antennas, HP8720D vector network analyzer, RF cables, and a personal computer that controls frequency, polarization and data storage. This system automatically measures fully-polarimatric backscattering coefficients of rice crop every 10 minutes, accompanied by a digital camera that takes pictures in a fixed position with the same interval. The backscattering coefficients were calculated by applying a radar equation. Plant variables, such as leaf area index (LAI), biomass, plant height and weather conditions were measured periodically throughout the rice growth season. We have performed polarimetric decomposition of paddy data such as single, double and volume scattering to extract the scattering information effectively. We investigated the relationships between backscattering coefficients and the plant variables.