The thesis is devoted to a consideration of soil factors influencing the availability of trace metals for plant uptake, with particular reference to waterlogging. Chapter 1 includes a brief survey of the roles of trace metals in biological systems and the forms which exist in soil fractions. The forms of trace metals influenced by environmental factors are also discussed. The importance of waterlogging in influencing the distribution of trace metals is discussed in more detail, as are the relevant chemical changes taking place in the soil with various waterlogging times and depths. The objectives of the thesis are to investigate the effects of waterlogging on the redistribution of trace metals in soil and the implications for plant uptake. The case is made out for this study.