Amylose gels of low concentration (l-3%) were prepared by neutralization of alkaline solutions of amylose. The kinetics of amylose gelation were studied by small-amplitude oscillatory shear experiments. The evolution of the storage modulus (G') and the loss modulus (G") involved first an induction period (5-600 min, depending on the amylose concentration and ionic strength) where the medium remained clear and no variation of G'(t) and G"(t) was evident. Then there was a sharp increase in G' and a slight increase in G"(t). The point where the G'(i) and G"(t) curves separated was the gel time (g.t.) and was related to the time when the medium became cloudy (c.t., cloud time). The second step lasted 10-100 min, depending upon the solution conditions. The third period was characterized by a slow evolution of G'(t) and no equilibrium value was reached after 15 h. G.t., c.t., and the final value of G' (for 15-h gels) were strongly dependent on the concentration of amylose and the content of KCl. The limiting concentration (Co) of amylose for gelation was 0.9%, corresponding to CO[q] = 0.64. The effect of ionic strength on the kinetics of amylose gelation and gel stiffness could be interpreted on the basis of a phase separation process.