Abstract: Zinc (Zn) deficiency and water scarcity are major challenges in rice (Oryza sativa L.) under an intensive
rice production system. This study aims to investigate the impact of water-saving management and different Zn fertilization
source (ZnSO4 and Zn-EDTA) regimes on grain yield and Zn accumulation in rice grain. Different water
managements, continuous flooding (CF), and alternate wetting and drying (AWD) were applied during the rice growing
season. Compared with CF, the AWD regime significantly increased grain yield and Zn concentrations in both brown
rice and polished rice. Grain yield of genotypes (Nipponbare and Jiaxing27), on the average, was increased by 11.4%,
and grain Zn concentration by 3.9% when compared with those under a CF regime. Zn fertilization significantly increased
Zn density in polished rice, with a more pronounced effect of ZnSO4 being observed as compared with
Zn-EDTA, especially under an AWD regime. Decreased phytic acid content and molar ratio of phytic acid to Zn were
also noted in rice grains with Zn fertilization. The above results demonstrated that water management of AWD combined
with ZnSO4 fertilization was an effective agricultural practice to elevate grain yield and increase Zn accumulation
and bioavailability in rice grains.