Abstract: Tithonia diversifolia, an alien invasive plant species, has quickly spread along roads in Yunnan Province, China. To better understand the distribution of T. diversifolia, we investigated its community distribution along roads and analyzed the influencing factors. T.diversifoliahas invaded the tropical, and southern, central and northern subtropical regions of Yunnan, which covered 71 counties. In contrast to its distribution 10 years ago, T.diversifolia definitely extended northward and to higher altitude. At higher latitude and altitude region, the distribution of T. diversifoliawas related to climatic factors. At lower latitude and altitude region, the distribution was mainly influenced by human disturbance. The habitat types along roads substantially influenced the establishment of T. diversifolia. Grassland, economic forest, and cropland habitats with low canopy cover facilitate its invasion, whereas natural and secondary forest habitats with high canopy cover could resist its invasion. Roads obviously promoted the dispersal ofT. diversifolia. Highergrade roads with heavy traffic were in favor of the dispersal of T. diversifoliathan lower grade roads. The dense network of highways advanced its invasive process. With the rapid deve lopment of highways, the invasion of T. diversifolia speeded up in Yunnan. Population dynamics should be monitored for warning the invasion of T. diversifolia.

Key words: growth, chili, plant symbiotic actinomycetes, gray mold., arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, eggplant