The aims of this work were to quantify the spores and the most probable number of AMF propagules in soils from the Caraíba Mining, Bahia; to detect the effect of the season in the dynamics of AMF propagules and to determine the effects of mining on the potential of mycorrhizal infectivity. Soil samples were collected in the dry (August/98) and rainy seasons (February/99), from six subareas of the copper mining area: 1 - site that receives the waste product; 2 - the industrial area surroundings; 3 - low grade deposits; 4 - preserved "caatinga"; 5 - interface between the caatinga and the waste product area; 6 - site for extracting top soil for purpose of land filling. Thirty-two plant species were identified in the two meters around each collecting point. The highest diversity (21 species) occurred in the subarea 4, whereas the lowest plant diversity was observed in the subarea 3 (two species). The subareas 1, 3 and 5 presented the least spore number (< 1 per g of soil), possibly because of the high values of Cu and Fe and more alcaline pH in these soils. In general, spores density and number of infective propagules were low (< 2 per g of soil). There was no significant difference between number of spores in the dry and in the rainy seasons, except for the place 6. However, there was variation between the sub areas, with significant differences in both seasons.
Arbuscular mycorrhiza; heavy metals; Glomales; mining; disturbed area
