Microscopic worm 'bad guys' may be useful in agriculture

This is interesting, I'm not familiar with nematodes...

The best known nematodes are widely disparaged. Some estimates say plant-parasitizing varieties cost more than $9 billion a year nationally. One species that attacks citrus has decimated orchards in Yuma and plagued Tucson lemon trees. Stock points to a photo of a disfigured carrot in one textbook, the gnarled and bumpy result of root knot nematode. Then there are 50 or 60 types, worldwide, that attack humans and our pets, including pinworms and heartworms. But she sees the worms' softer side.[Tucson Region]