Abstract
This study was carried out to assess the use of RADARSAT data which is C-band with HH polarization for the rice growth monitoring in Korea. Nine time-series data were taken by shallow incidence angle (standard beam mode 5 or 6) during rice growing season. And then, backscattering coefficients ($\sigma$$^{\circ}$) were extracted by calibration process for comparing with rice growth parameters such as plant height, leaf area index(LAI), and fresh and dry biomass. Field experimental data concerned with rice growth were collected 8 times for the ground truth at the study area, Tangjin, Chungnam, Korea. At the beginning of rice growth, backscattering coefficients were ranged from -l6~-l3dB when rice fields were not covered with rice canopy and flooded. At the maximum vegetative stage of rice, backscattering coefficients of the rice field were the highest ranging from -4.4dB~-3.1dB. The temporal variation of backscattering coefficient($\sigma$$^{\circ}$) in rice field was significant in this study. Backscattering coefficient ($\sigma$$^{\circ}$) of rice field was a little bit lower again after heading stage than before. This results show RADARSAT data is promising for rice monitoring.