Soybean growers across the globe face a silent but devastating threat: the soybean cyst nematode (SCN). This microscopic pathogen attacks soybean roots, jeopardizing crop yields and causing more than $1.5 billion in annual losses in the United States alone. Despite decades of effort, effective solutions to protect soybeans from SCN remain elusive, as the pathogen is often detected only in later stages because its early symptoms are subtle. However, new research offers hope for a sustainable solution to this agricultural challenge.