The soybean cyst nematode (SCN) is capable of causing serious yield loss on soybeans every year and is widespread throughout Iowa and much of the Midwest. In the “good ole days,” a farmer was “good to go” with SCN management if he or she knew what fields were infested with the nematode and then grew SCN-resistant soybean varieties in rotation with the nonhost crop corn. Nowadays, though, things are a little more complicated.

The fact is, your SCN numbers may be building up unbeknownst to you. This buildup can go unrecognized because a soybean crop often does not appear stressed above ground, even though SCN numbers are building up below ground and yield loss is occurring.