During the past 10 years reniform nematode (Rotylenchulus reniformis) has been recognized as a major pathogen of cotton in Louisiana. This pest causes severe stunting and yield reductions. Reniform nematode can occur in a wide range of soil types but is extremely widespread in the silt loams which are the predominate soils in which cotton is grown in Louisiana. During 1985-1991 a total of 4687 nematode samples were analyzed from cotton fields in the state (Table 1). Most of these samples were routine samples sent in to the Nematode Advisory Service to determine if a problem nematode was present. Of these samples 1605 (34.2%) had the reniform nematode present in at least a detectable level. Approximately 73% of the samples had reniform population levels of greater than 500 per pint of soil. Morehouse and Rapides Parish have had the most samples analyzed (1239 and 1122, respectively). Of these two parishes, reniform was found more frequently in Rapides Parish.