L-band H polarized microwave emission during the corn growth cycle

L-band radiometry is recognized as a technique with a significant potential for providing spatial and temporal soil moisture variations [1, 2]. As a result, satellite missions dedicated to global soil moisture monitoring have been proposed. A 2D-interferometric L-band radiometer has recently been launched onboard the European SMOS (Soil moisture and Ocean Salinity) satellite, [3], and the NASA is in preparation of a similar suite of microwave instruments as a part of the Aquarius and SMAP (Soil Moisture Active/Passive missions, [4] which have anticipated launch dates in 2011 and 2014, respectively. The reliability of soil moisture products derived from these microwave observations will depend, at least in part, on the effectiveness of accounting for vegetation and surface roughness impacts.