Dielectric Properties of Clay Loam Soil at Lower Microwave Frequencies

Abstract

Real and Imaginary parts ( ) of the Complex Dielectric Permittivity (ε*) of Clay Loam soil collected from Nanta Farm, CAD, Kota, Rajasthan have been measured using a Vector Network Analyzer with varied Moisture contents and Salinity levels in the frequency range 150 MHz to 2.2 GHz. Both and are observed to be strongly dependent on moisture content. The Reflection coefficient(R) , Emissivity(e) and Brightness temperature(T_B) of Microwaves for the soil sample were also calculated from the measured permittivity data. These parameters have their own importance in remote sensing of soil moisture using Microwave signals and show expected variations with soil salinity and Microwave frequencies used.