Microscopic worms burrowing through cells, injecting foreign compounds through hypodermic-needle-like mouth parts, altering the basic biology of the cells being fed upon.

Shape-shifting worms that grow so large that they rupture out of the tissues they are feeding upon. Sound the plot for a science fiction movie? Believe it or not, this is the basic biology of a widespread, serious parasite of soybean — the soybean cyst nematode.

Welcome!
This site is intended to provide easy access to the most critical facts about SCN, the soybean cyst nematode, and links to more in-depth information. We hope you find it useful.

SCN female on soybean roots

Current News

A new Soybean Cyst Nematode Management Field Guide, written by Greg Tylka, has been issued by Iowa State University in partnership with the Iowa Soybean Association. The 56-page, spiral-bound publication (Publication CSI-12) is available for Iowans at no cost from ISU county Extension offices. It can also be ordered directly from the ISU Extension Online Store, or call 515-294-5247.

The 2008 ISU SCN-resistant Variety Trial report will be available in the coming month. We have continued with the new format introduced in 2006 which features bar charts in addition to data tables. These are the only SCN trials available with SCN reproductive data collected on a plot-by-plot basis to give a complete picture of not only this year's yield, but an indication of how planting a particular variety can impact future years of soybean production. Reports by location are currently being posted at www.isuscntrials.info.

When the full report is complete, print copies (ISU Extension Publication IPM 52) will be posted on this website and will also be available free of charge from ISU county Extension offices or from the ISU Extension Distribution Center by calling (515) 294-5247.

The popular Soybean Cyst Nematode Management Guide, originally published by the SCN Coalition, was recently updated and reissued by the North Central Soybean Research Program (NCSRP).  The fifth edition is available to read or print in pdf format»