Complex dielectric permittivity of soil as a function of frequency, moisture and texture

The dielectric permittivity of soils of different textures as a function of moisture level (10-30% by volume) and frequency (0.6 and 1.2 GHz). using co-axial cable method is determined. This technique can be used to estimate the. dielectric constant over a wide range of frequency using a single probe. Estimated values of dielectric permittivity (epsilon') were calculated for wet soil by using a mixing model and found to be in reasonable agreement with the experimental data. Complex part of permittivity(epsilon '') also shows an increase.with moisture content. The increase, however, varies among different soil samples because of texture variation. Relaxation frequency and spread of relaxation were also calculated for all samples under dry and wet conditions. This study can be used for texture characterisation under dry and wet conditions.