MICROWAVE EMISSION FEATURES OF CROPS WITH VERTICAL STEMS

Microwave emission from crops characterized by long vertical structure s has been investigated br using experimental data at 10 and 37 GHz an d a model based on the Radiative Transfer Theory, The effects of singl e-plant constituents on the total emission from crops are evaluated by means of measurements carried out on plants in natural conditions and after sequential cuts of fruits, leaves, and stems, The experimental results are discussed in terms of emission and scattering properties o f the crop. The dependence of optical depth and single-scattering albe do on plant water content has been estimated.