Present studies report the biodegradation of dextrin grafted polyethylene (PE), successfully synthesized by graft co-polymerization method using benzoyl peroxide as the radical initiator. Biodegradable behaviour of the grafted PE was ascertained by soil burial test. Percent weight loss was measured as a function of number of days and it was observed that percent weight loss increased with increasing number of days. To further substantiate the degradation, microanalysis of the soil containing the samples was carried out. An increase in the colonies of microorganisms was observed with increasing number of days. The hydrolysis of the samples taken out from the soil after a specified number of days also corroborated the findings revealing continuous loss of weight. Effect of degradation of the grafted samples on the growth of plants (wheat and soybean) was studied and it was observed that the products of degradation are not harmful to the growth of the plants. (C) Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2010