In this study, an established microwave backscatter model is used to predict the radar backscatter behavior of rice and to understand the interaction between backscatter and the rice canopy during its growth cycle. The emphasis of this study is to understand the effect of physical plant parameters on the backscatter signatures as a function of polarization and how these signatures vary during a complete growth cycle of rice. Inputs to the backscatter model included the physical parameters of rice as obtained through field measurements. These measurements were acquired within a few days of multiple RADARSAT acquisitions of the Zhaoqing test site in southern China. RADARSAT observations and the modeling results were then compared and analyzed. The results show that the interaction mechanisms change during the nice growth cycle and that polarimetric and/or multi-polarization measurements at C-band will contribute to rice monitoring programs.