Table 1 Pre-incubation physiochemical characteristics of soil, rice-straw derived biochar (BC) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (nZnO).

Sand (%)

50.33 ± 1.76

Silt (%)

22.67 ± 2.33

Clay (%)

26.67 ± 0.33

Textural Class

Sandy clay loam

pH

8.25 ± 0.04

8.97 ± 0.01

Electrical conductivity (d S m⁻¹)

0.37

1.34

Organic C (g kg⁻¹ dry matter)

6.65 ± 0.53

281.9 ± 11.2

Total N (g kg⁻¹ soil)

0.57 ± 0.05

7.41 ± 0.97

C/N

11.7

38.04

Size (nm)

90–110

Shape

Granular agglomerated particles

Zeta potential (mV)

– 27.41