The development of Heterodera schachtii Schm. (beet cyst nematode, BCN) juveniles in roots of resistant and susceptible genotypes belonging to cruciferous crop species and hybrids was studied from 4 to 28 days after inoculation. No difference in root penetration by larvae was observed between resistant and susceptible plants.The development of nematodes in roots from resistant plants of Raphanus sativus L., resistant • Sageret and a resistant hybrid • • Brassica napus L. was similar. BCN resistance in these three sources of plant material appeared to be related to an increased male:female nematode ratio as compared to the ratio found in susceptible R. sativus plants.Also in resistant plants of Sinapis alba L. and a resistant intergeneric hybrid S. alba • B. napus the increase in male:female nematode ratio, as compared to the ratio found for susceptible S. alba cultivars and a susceptible intergeneric hybrid S. alba • B. napus, seemed to be related with the observed resistance. In roots of the resistant S. alba and of a resistant hybrid S. alba • B. napus, however, BCN resistance might also be due to a slower development of larvae and increased necrosis of root cells at the site of larval penetration.