A field experiment was conducted during early kharif of 2008 on sandy clay loam soils of dryland farm of S.V. Agricultural College, Tirupati to study the effect of nitrogen and zinc on growth, nutrient uptake, yield and economics of guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.). The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design and replicated thrice. The treatments consisted of three main plots viz., 20 kg N ha-1 (N1), 30 kg N ha-1 (N2) and 40 kg N ha-1(N3) and four sub-plot treatments viz., 0.5 % ZnSO4 spray at 25 DAS (Z1), 0.5 % ZnSO4 spray at 45 DAS (Z2), 0.5 % ZnSO4 spray at 25 and 45 DAS (Z3) and basal application of 20 kg ZnSO4 ha-1(Z4). Plant height of guar increased progressively with advance in the age of the crop upto harvest. Application of 30 kg N ha-1 (N2), resulted in tallest plants during all stages of crop growth, while the shortest plants were recorded with N1 (20 kg N ha-1). The highest uptake of nitrogen was associated with N2 (30 kg N ha-1) and lowest was with N1 (20 kg N ha-1). The highest uptake of phosphorus was associated with N2 (30 kg N ha-1), which was on par with N3 (40 kg N ha-1). Application of 20 kg N ha-1 (N1) recorded the lowest phosphorus uptake. The highest potassium uptake was recorded with N2 (30 kg N ha-1) followed by N3 (40 kg N ha-1) and N1 (20 kg N ha-1) with significant disparity between them. The seed yield and stalk yield were highest with N2 (30 kg N ha-1) and they were at their lowest with N1 (20 kg N ha-1). Among the zinc management practices Z3 (0.5 % ZnSO4 spray at 25 and 45 DAS) resulted in highest seed and stalk yield. Application of 20 kg ZnSO4 ha-1 (Z4) recorded the lowest yield. The highest gross returns, net returns and benefit: cost ratio were noticed with N2 (30 kg N ha-1) and they were at their lowest with N1 (20 kg N ha-1). Interaction was found to be significant only in case of net returns and benefit: cost ratio.