Nematodes are one of the largest, most diverse groups of multicellular organisms and are second only to insects in abundance. Nematodes are animals that have a wormlike appearance. Most nematodes are beneficial organisms that help decompose organic matter, releasing nutrients for plant uptake. SCN is a plant-parasitic nematode that changes shape as it goes through its life cycle. In the root, juveniles become males or females.
Males return to the original wormlike shape and leave the roots in search of females.
The majority of eggs remain within the cyst, where they are protected from desiccation and soil predation. There can be more than one generation of SCN during a single growing season, leading to multiple root infestations. Second-stage juvenile hatched from eggs. The juvenile infects the roots. Magnified 500 times.