Survey of Current Distribution of Rotylenchulus reniformis in the United States.

The reniform nematode, Rotylenchulus reniformis, has been reported from all Gulf Coast states, Arkansas, Hawaii, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Experts in 11 states identified the counties or parishes where the nematode is found and provided information regarding associated soil parameters, climate, crops, and crop management. Rotylenchulus reniformis has been detected in 187 counties and parishes of the southeastern United States and is most widespread in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. In every state except Florida and Hawaii, economically damaging soil populations were associated with continuous cotton production. Other crops considered to be damaged by R. reniformis were soybean, tobacco, several vegetables, and pineapple (Hawaii). There was no consistent relationship between the nematode's presence and soil texture, soil pH, rainfall, or irrigation regime. However, certain respondents associated damage from the nematode primarily with silty or clay soils (Texas, Hawaii, Florida, and Georgia) or with silty soils with exceptionally tow pH (Hawaii and Louisiana).