Mixing sieved soil (2mm) with 5% hexadecanol or 1 % Rohagit by weight decreased evaporation from bare soil. Hexadecanol had an unfavourable effect on the percentage of available soil water, strongly retarded plant growth and increased rate of transpiration by up to three times. Rohagit at rates of 0.02-0.2% increased the percentage of water-stable aggregates, favoured root development and slightly increased water-use efficiency.