Identified in the 91/92 crop in three municipalities of MG, MS e MT, the soybean cyst nematode expanded in nine municipalities of the MT, MS, GO, MG and SP States in he 92/93 adn 93/94 crops. The nematode is scattered through movements of machinery, wind, water, animals and untreated seeds. The nematode completes its life cycle in 40 days at 18¦C, making possible three to six generations per crop. None of the resistant varieties developed in the United States is adaptated to commercial production in Brazil. There still ins't any Brazilian cultivar resistant to the nematode. Available alternatives are the rotation/sucession of non host crops, cultures with non susceptible hosts, soil management and weed control. On the short term, it is essential to define a policy based on production diversification and agro-industrial development, with increased investments in research and technical assistance. (MV)