Phosphorus (P) and zinc (Zn) are both essential elements for plant growth and development. There are strong relationships between different nutrients that changing one or more nutrients in the growth medium affects the concentrations of many other nutrients in plants. Phosphorus in the form of Pi can affect the mobility and bioavailability of many metal elements including iron,manganese,copper,and Zn. Early studies performed in various crop species indicate that there is a negative relationship between Pi and Zn accumulation in plants. In this study,Guangliangyou 35(an indica hybrid rice cultivar) and Nipponbare (a conventional japonica rice cultivar) were treated with combined application of three Zn levels and four P levels in field trials. The effects of combinations of P and Zn on the growth,yield,and the nutrient utilization of rice were investigated. We analyzed the shoot dry weight at different growth stages,the yield and its components at mature stage,the concentration,accumulations and distributions of P,Zn,N and K in different organs and tissues. Results showed that the combined application of P and Zn fertilizers had synergistic effect or antagonistic effect on the rice biomass,yield,the nutrient absorption and distribution. Under the middle and low P levels,the proper application of Zn increased the biomass and yield of rice. Under the high P level,the application of Zn decreased the biomass. For different cultivars,the proper application of Zn increased the rice yield under different P levels. The significant increase of 1 000-grain weight and fertility determined the increase of yield under the combined application of P and Zn fertilizers. The properly combined application of P and Zn fertilizers increased the concentrations of P and Zn in rice plant and promoted the distribution of P and Zn to the productive organ. In addition,the properly combined application of P and Zn fertilizers increased the concentrations of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) in rice plant,and promoted the distribution of N to the productive organ,which is one of the main physiological mechanisms of increasing rice yield under the combined application of P and Zn fertilizers.