Abstract: A novel biodegradable superabsorbent resin was prepared with acrylic acid(AA), maleylated cotton stalk cellulose(MCSC) and humic acid(HA) by ultraviolet (UV) photopolymerization, and 2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone as an initiator. The samples were further characterized by means of FT-IR and SEM. The effects of preparation conditions such as monomer concentration, amount of maleylated cotton stalk cellulose and HA, exposed time and photoinitiator amount on the absorbency were evaluated. The swelling kinetics, salt-resistance, water retention capacity and biodegradability of the MCSC-g-PAA/HA superabsorbent were investigated. Results show that absorbencies of the resin which is polymerized under the optimum condition are as follows: the deionized water absorbency is 870 g/g, the saline water (w(NaCl)=0.9%) absorbency is 94 g/g.