When to Sample for Nematodes on Corn - It Depends

A recurring question often asked concerning plant-parasitic nematodes that feed on corn is, “When should samples be collected to check for these pests?” The answer depends on the details of each specific field situation. In most cases, fall sampling to test for nematodes that feed on corn is not recommended

SCN females on roots signal infestations and possibly ineffectiveness of resistance

Many fields are not known to be infested with the soybean cyst nematode (SCN) because obvious, above-ground symptoms do not always occur. A reliable way to check for SCN on non-resistant (susceptible) soybean varieties is to dig roots, carefully crumble away much of the soil from the roots, and look for the adult SCN females. The females appear as small, round, white objects on the roots and are about the size of a period at the end of a sentence