Our main goal is to quantify the damage that viruses cause on SCN. We will quantify the damage to SCN in both the field and in laboratory experiments. For the field phase of the project, the first goal will be to identify and locate virus-infected SCN populations. The next step will be to assess the extent of damage to SCN reproduction caused by the viruses. In the laboratory studies, we will utilize inbred SCN populations with differing levels of the viruses or no virus at all. These studies will be ongoing throughout the first year and should establish the level of damage to egg hatch rates and nematode mobility.