The source of radiation for rectangular microstrip radiator is
the electric field that is excited between the edges of microstrip
element and the ground plane.The fields are excited 180 degree out
of phase between opposite edges.Each edge therefore radiates an
omnidirectional pattern into half space above the ground plane.The
opposing edges are excited out of phase but their radiation adds in
phase normal to the element.
For more details see Antenna Engineering handbook by Johnson and
Jasik.
Thanks.