The various factors contributing to zinc deficiency in soils and plants include soil pH, organic matter content, texture, lime content and high levels of phosphorus. Some of the conclusions drawn in the paper are: (a) knowledge of the chemistry of zinc is limited; (b) not only total lime but active lime plays an important role in making zinc unavailable to plants (c) Zn-P interaction seems to be an internal physiological phenomenon and not an external fixation phenomenon; (d) acid forming nitrogenous fertilizers help in releasing zinc; (e) organic matter and soil pH play an important part in the availability of zinc. Recommendations made in the paper include the following: (a) on semi-arid calcerous soils acid-forming nitrogenous fertilizers should be used which will make zinc as well as phosphorus available to plants; (b) balanced levels of phosphorus should be applied; (c) after land leveling, organic matter should be applied.