AbstractStarch derivatives were compared with polyvinyl alcohol and with polyvinyl acetates by wet sieving techniques to obtain an indication of soil stabilizing potential. Certain benzyl ethers of both starch and hydroxyethylated (HE) starch exhibited stabilizing properties. HE starch with 9% benzyl content was the most effective derivative examined, stabilizing 63 and 96% of the soil to at least 10 min of water immersion with abrasion at dose levels of 0.04 g and 0.3 g per 100 g of dry soil, respectively.