SPAD values were influenced by the fertilizer treatment (P < 0.001) but not by earthworm activity (P > 0.05) ( Table 4). Regardless of cultivation practice, SPAD values were always highest in mineral and lowest in compost treatments (P < 0.05). Vermicompost led to intermediate SPAD values for the two maize plantings (P < 0.05 in all the case) and to similar values as the mineral treatment for tomato (P > 0.05).