Fresh soils (field moisture) were sieved using a 2 mm mesh and stored at 4 C before testing (within 2 months) for acid phosphatase activity [36], mineralizable N (Nmin) [37], microbial biomass carbon (MBC) [38], average well color development (AWCD) and microbial functional diversity on Eco-BIOLOG! plates, including number of utilized substrates (NUS) and Shannon H0 diversity index (H0), at mid- exponential phase [39]. It was also determined the abundance of earthworms (depth 0e30 cm in 25 25 cm areas, soil replaced after sampling to preserve integrity) [40].