Analysis of polarimetric scattering in a paddy rice canopy using an automatic radar scatterometer system

The objectives of this study were to investigate the temporal behavior of radar backscatter from paddy rice using a polarimetric scatterometer system and analyze scattering characteristics of paddy rice growth using decomposition method. We obtained the data continuously in every 10 minutes by using an L-, C - and X-band automatic radar scatterometer measurement system. The season-long backscattering coefficients from transplanting to harvesting stages were compared with rice growth parameters. Backscattering coefficients of all bands with polarization gradually increased in accordance with rice growth and decreased owing to the reduction of LAI and fresh biomass. In the decomposition, single bounce was the dominant factor at all stages and in all bands and Beta component of pauli decomposition in L-band significantly appeared after heading stage. It found that L-band related to double bounce scattering according to rice growth.