Graft copolymerizations of acrylamide and maleic acid onto cassava starch by a simultaneous irradiation technique using gamma-rays as an initiator were carried out. Various important parameters of total dose, dose rate, monorner-to-cassava starch ratio and maleic acid content were studied. Addition of 2% w w(-1) diprotic acid of maleic acid into the reaction mixture yields a saponified starch graft copolymer with a water absorption in distilled water as high as 2256 g g(-1) of its dried weight. The water absorption of these saponified graft copolymers in saline and buffer solutions was also measured, The water absorption depends largely on the cationic type and concentration of these solutions in terms of ionic strength. This research explains a charge transfer mechanism for graft copolymerization of maleic acid and acrylamide onto cassava starch, and describes the influential parameters that affect grafting efficiency and water absorption.