This study was carried out to determine the effect of polyvinylalcohol (PVA) on water erosion and crust strengths at different doses (0, 6.70 and 33.50 kg ha^-1) under laboratory conditions with two replications. The PVA solutions were sprayed on soil samples and two consecutive rain storms (65 mm h^-1) were applied on the experimental soils. Erosion plot was weighted under a platform that has 4 infrared lamps (250 W) at 16 h between two consecutive simulated rainfalls. The results showed that the PVA treatments decreased runoff and soil loss significantly in Typic Xerofluvent, soils in 1st and 2nd simulated rainfall, and Aquic Xeropsamment soils in the second rainfall applications.

Key words: Crust strength, rain simulator, runoff, soil loss, soil stabilizers.