Complex Dielectric Permittivity of Sandy Loam as a Function of Salinity and Biomass at Microwaves

Abstract

Real and Imaginary parts of Complex Dielectric Permittivity (ε’ and ε” ) of Sandy Loam soil have been measured in the frequency range 150 MHz – 2.4 GHz using a Vector Network Analyzer at varied Moisture contents, Salinity and Biomass. The Emissivity of the soil for normal incidence was also calculated from measured values of Complex Permittivity. The measured permittivity data show strong dependence on moisture content. Salinity causes higher permittivity and dielectric loss. Biomass appears to enhance the permittivity data due to increase in porosity of the soil. The emissivity of the soil was observed to decrease with increasing soil moisture and soil salinity, but it increases with biomass.