Microwave Emission Model for Row-Structured Vegetation

A simple emission model applicable for low scattering (scattering « absorption) anisotropic layer is developed and applied to the interpretation of measurements of microwave emission from row crops. The vegetation layer of row crops is modeled as a random slab embedded with small spheroids with major axis aligned parallel to the crop-row direction. The total emission is given in a simple algebraic form based on the zero-order radiative transfer theory. The single scattering albedo for spheroid and its polarimetric phase function are presented. The developed emission theory favorably compares with the brightness temperature measured over soybeans canopy.