Abstract
To investigate the causes of distribution of Kummerowia striata (Thunb.) Schindl. mostly restricted on the roadside and reclaimed land, plant growth was analyzed under different of tread-pressures: $P_1$(10 times/day, $16.34Kg/cm^2$), $P_2$(20 times/day, $31.52 Kg/cm^2$), $P_3$(30 times/day, $40.79 kg/cm^2$) and the control $P_c$(0 times/day, $3.73 Kg/cm^2$). The matter production in the $P_1$decreased compared with that in the $P_c$, and those in the $P_2$and $P_3$ continuously decreased so that its length growth gradually decreased and, in particular, the growth of leaves and nodule was suppressed. The number of leaves and roots tended to increase in the $P_2$and $P_3$. The water contents of roots following the increase of tread-pressure increased continuously. Following the increase of tread-pressure, T/R ratio and C/F ratio tended to increase. Kummerowia striata showed the highest growth in the $P_c$ and showed 26% relative growth in the $P_1$compared with that in the $P_c$. This plant showed 8% relative growth in the $P_3$, which is excess to the tread-pressure $21Kg/cm^2$, the limit of growth in the plant. Because this plant grew continuously in the P$_3$, the tread-pressure is regarded as an important factor affecting the roadside distribution of this plant.