Number of nodules and leghaemoglobin content of nodules increased with increasing Zn application up to 7·5 μg/g soil. Dry-matter yield and N fixation increased with Zn up to 10 μg/g soil. Both nodulation and N fixation decreased at higher levels. Soil N content showed an initial depletion but increased during the late season. Critical lower and upper levels for maximum N fixation were 1·75–2·5, and 10–14 μg of DTPA extractable Zn/g soil, respectively. In the present studies 5–10 μg Zn/g soil was sufficient for maximum N fixation in chickpea.