Greenhouse and laboratory experiments were conducted to determine if redox, Zn fertilization and incubation time could help to explain the Increased Incidence of Zn deficiency in rice (Oryza sativaL.) in submerged soils through greater solubilization of Fe and Mn. Continuous flooding Increases DTPA‐extractable Fe and Mn, but when Zn was applied, extractable Fe and Mn decreased. Even when Irrigated to 30 kPa (0.3 bar), the addition of Zn lowered the amount of DTPA‐extractable Fe and Mn. Depth and duration of flooding affected redox (pe + pH). After 30 days of continuous flooding pe + pH approached to 4.3 at 2 cm below the soil‐water interface. The pe + pH decreased significantly with soil depth, reflecting greater accumulation of CO2and depletion of O2. Under controlled redox conditions in the laboratory, decreasing pe + pH from 14.48 to 4.00 decreased soluble Zn from 10‐5.50to <10‐6.80M, while Fe content Increased from 10‐5.59to 10‐4.91Hand that of Mn from 10‐5.73to 10‐4.82M.The findings reported herein support the hypothesis that Zn deficiency observed In submerged rice can be partially explained by Increased reduction and solubilization of Fe and Mn which have an antagonistic effect on the availability and uptake of Zn. It is hypothesized that Fe dissolved at reduced microsites subsequently reprecipitates as ferroslc hydroxide (Fe3(OH)8) In more oxidized zones. The higher solubility of Fe maintained by Fe3(OH)8can depress Zn2+solubility through formation of ZnFe2O4or a similar franklinite‐like solid.