Adsorption and desorption reactions of zinc (Zn) in soils control its availability to plants. In the present investigation, time-dependent Zn release was evaluated using three organic acids [diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), citric acid, and maleic acid] to depict the Zn fraction controlling Zn release rate from slightly calcareous to calcareous soils. Eight surface and two subsoil samples of selected soil series varied in their physicochemical properties, amount of Zn held in different chemical pools, and Zn-retention capacities (21-61%). Each soil was extracted for a total period of 24 h at 1:10 soil/extractant suspension ratio using 0.005 M DTPA. The time-dependent parabolic diffusion model best described the Zn release in six consecutive extractions. Soils differed in cumulative Zn extracted (1.09-3.81 mg kg −1 soil) and Zn release rate. Under similar conditions, three soils differing in Zn-retention capacities were also extracted with five different concentrations (0.01-0.0001 M) of citric and maleic acids. Although both maleic and citric acids released soil Zn at greater rates and in greater amounts than DTPA, maleic acid was more efficient. Soil Zn bound to amorphous iron (Fe) + manganese (Mn) oxides was the main Zn pool that controlled Zn release characteristics.