Zinc in rice is important for nutrition and growth. We studied 150 paddy soils in Southeast Asia to see how zinc is found in the soil. We found that most soils have enough zinc that plants can use. The type of zinc in the soil is related to the pH level and the amount of iron and manganese. In these soils, most of the zinc is in forms that are not easily taken up by plants. Acidic soils have more easily available zinc, while neutral soils have more zinc that can be released over time. The amount of zinc in the soil is influenced by pH, organic matter, and iron and manganese content.