Results of the PCA of the soil chemical properties measured at
the end of the experiment are shown in Fig. 1 (details are given in
Table 3). The compost and vermicompost treatments were clearly
separated from the mineral treatment along the first axis, which
explained 57% of the total variance. The compost and vermicompost
treatments were characterized by higher C and N, higher pH
and CEC, and lower available P, NH4
+ and NO3
− than the mineral
treatment. The compost and vermicompost treatments were separated
from each other along the second axis of the PCA, which
explained 23% of the total variance. Soils amended with compost