Soybean Cyst Nematode - Scouting

First, determine your purpose for scouting for SCN

Field with confirmed SCN. Photo credit: Jason Bpnd, Southern Illinois University

This will help determine your best strategy— whether to check soybean roots or to collect a soil sample — and when and how to collect the sample.

Are you scouting to...

• check  if SCN is present in a field before planting next year's soybean crop? Collect a soil sample»
• determine if your SCN management program has been successful in keeping SCN population densities in check? Collect a soil sample»
• determine if SCN was responsible for poor soybean yields?
  Collect a soil sample»
• look for SCN in stunted or yellow soybeans observed in mid-season, OR
  in fields that are apparantly healthy, but have not yet been checked for SCN? Examine soybean roots»

What about HG tests? An example HG test Where to get an HG test

What about HG tests?

Much has been learned in the past several decades about development of SCN on resistant soybean varieties. It is apparent from this new knowledge that a change in how we describe the abilities of a SCN population to reproduce on resistant soybean varieties is warranted.

A new system, called the HG Type test (HG for Heterodera glycines, the scientific name for soybean cyst nematode) has been developed and adopted by agronomists, plant pathologists, and soybean breeders. Read more about the new SCN HG Type test».