The SCN Coalition announced March 3, 2026, the launch of expanded Soybean Nematode Management Guides covering four parasitic nematode species - SCN, root-knot, root lesion, and reniform - a move designed to strengthen U.S. soybean yields and close persistent knowledge gaps that cost growers bushels each season.

The decision reflects growing recognition that nematode pressure extends far beyond SCN, the most economically damaging soybean pathogen in the United States. While industry campaigns have significantly increased awareness of SCN over the past decade, experts say other parasitic species continue to erode yield potential, often without obvious aboveground symptoms.

"Farmers have been exposed to active SCN management messages, but nematode pressure doesn't stop there," said Dylan Mangel, plant pathologist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, in a news release. Expanding outreach, he noted, helps producers adopt a more comprehensive yield protection strategy.

For soybean growers navigating volatile commodity prices, uncertainty around the next farm bill, and persistently high input costs, even small yield losses can translate into significant revenue impacts. Nematodes attack plant roots, reducing the crop's ability to absorb water and nutrients, compounding stress during drought conditions and limiting overall productivity. In tight-margin environments, protecting every bushel becomes essential to maintaining competitiveness across the U.S. ag supply chain.

The updated Soybean Nematode Management Guides, funded by the United Soybean Board and developed by Extension plant pathologists and nematologists, provide science-based, field-ready recommendations. The materials emphasize step-by-step soil sampling protocols, accurate species identification, and multiple active management strategies proven to reduce yield loss.

Among the core recommendations are planting nematode-resistant soybean varieties, implementing strategic crop rotation, using nematode-protectant seed treatments, and adopting cultural practices that promote stronger root systems. Together, these tools support an integrated approach aligned with precision agriculture principles - using field data to make targeted, cost-effective decisions.

Soil testing remains the cornerstone of effective nematode control. Because infestations frequently go undetected, populations can build gradually, leading to cumulative yield drag over multiple seasons. The Coalition's expanded guidance encourages routine sampling as part of a long-term risk management strategy, complementing tools such as crop insurance and conservation programs supported by USDA initiatives.

The broader inclusion of root-knot, root lesion, and reniform nematodes is especially relevant for growers in southern production regions, though pressure from multiple species has been documented across diverse soybean-growing states. By addressing all four major threats within a single resource platform, the Coalition aims to help farmers adopt a more resilient, sustainable agriculture framework.

As environmental stressors - including drought conditions noted in recent U.S. Drought Monitor reports - intensify in some regions, protecting root health becomes increasingly critical. Nematodes weaken plants at the root level, often amplifying the effects of water deficits and nutrient stress during key reproductive stages.

With soybean acreage remaining central to U.S. row-crop agriculture, long-term yield stability directly influences domestic crush capacity, export competitiveness, and overall market performance. Industry leaders say the expanded guides represent an important step toward safeguarding productivity in an increasingly complex production landscape.

The Soybean Nematode Management Guides are available online at: https://thescncoalition.com/field-guides/