1. A method for predicting the resistance of a soybean seed to a soybean cyst nematode (SCN) comprising steps of: (a) analyzing a soybean seed sample using a near-infrared (NIR) spectrometer to produce assay spectral data, wherein the soybean seed sample has unknown resistance to SCN; (b) analyzing at least one reference soybean seed using a NIR spectrometer to produce reference spectral data, wherein the reference seed has a known SCN resistant genotype or SCN susceptible genotype; (c) comparing NIR peak intensities of the assay spectral data and reference spectral data using discriminant analysis; and (d) classifying the soybean seed sample as SCN resistant or SCN susceptible based on said discriminate analysis.