Chief among these practices are the use of resistant varieties and a properly designed crop rotation. Reproduction is not eliminated, but continues at a reduced rate. The use of resistant varieties allows you to grow soybeans with adequate yield while managing SCN numbers so that soybean can be grown profitably in the future. In the recent past, farmers may have been reluctant to use resistant varieties because there was a yield gap between resistant and susceptible varieties. Fortunately, several different sources of resistance also exist and these sources have been incorporated into various soybean varieties.
Most resistant varieties contain only one source of resistance.
This allows you to rotate sources of SCN resistance to help prevent the development of more damaging SCN populations. Check with your Cooperative Extension Service for more information on sources of resistance in varieties adapted to your area. Screening soybean varieties for SCN resistance is a priority in U.S. soybean breeding programs. If you have SCN, your rotation should include non-host crops and resistant soybean varieties. Once you successfully reduce SCN numbers, you should consider including susceptible soybean varieties in your rotation.