The complexity of nematode problems associated with cotton and the influence of soil texture and nutients on damage potential will be the subject of this presentation.  Under a number of alluvial soils in Louisiana, nematode damage is usually associated with the lightest soil textures within a field.  Most of these soils showing the greatest damage  are also exhibiting some type of nutrient problem.  These nutrient problems are related to pH issues (primarily from low pH) and nutrient deficiences such as potassium, sulfur, or zinc often found with coarse-textured soils. Cotton plants are able to withstand very high levels of nematodes such as root-knot or reniform in areas of fields that have soils with finer-textured soils and increased nutrient capacities.