Zinc deficiency was widely observed in calcareous soil where bicarbonate and high pH were always related with low zinc availability. In a hydroponic experiment, one zinc-efficient rice (IR36) and one zinc-inefficient rice (IR26) genotypes were employed to investigate the effects of bicarbonate and high pH conditions on absorption, transport of zinc and other nutrients (P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Mn) in rice. As compared with the control, high pH inhibited absorption, translocation and accumulation of zinc and other nutrients in both rice genotypes. Bicarbonate had minor effect on zinc-efficient rice genotype (IR36) whereas it could decrease zinc and other nutrient absorption in zinc-inefficient rice genotype (IR26). These results implied that increasing rice tolerance to bicarbonate is one of the most important strategies to improve rice adaptation for zinc-deficit calcareous soil. Zinc deficiency was widely observed in calcareous soil where bicarbonate and high pH were always related with low zinc availability. In a hydroponic experiment, one zinc-efficient rice (IR36) and one zinc-inefficient rice (IR26) genotypes were employed to investigate the effects of bicarbonate and high pH conditions on absorption, transport of zinc and other nutrients (P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Mn) in rice. As compared with the control, high pH inhibited absorption, translocation and accumulation of zinc and other nutrients in both rice genotypes. Bicarbonate had minor effect on zinc-efficient rice genotype (IR36) but it could decrease zinc and other nutrient absorption in zinc-inefficient rice genotype (IR26). These results implied that increasing rice tolerance to bicarbonate is one of the most important strategies to improve rice adaptation for zinc-deficit calcareous soil.