Frequency and Moisture Dependence of the Dielectric Properties of High-Moisture Corn1

The dielectric properties of shelled, yellow-dent field corn were measured at frequencies of 1, 5, 20, 50, 100, and 300 MHz and 1, 2.45, and 11 GHz for moisture contents ranging from 10% to 40% moisture, wet basis. Resulting dielectric properties are presented graphically to illustrate the dependence of the dielectric constant and the dielectric loss factor on frequency and moisture content. Coefficients of variation are presented for repeated measurements and for the variation in the dielectric properties among different lots of corn. The dielectric constant is the most reliable dielectric property to use for moisture content determination by dielectric measurement methods.