State: Sweet orange scab found in Louisiana

New federal citrus quarantine orders have been set for growers in three states, including Louisiana, after sweet orange scab fungus was found, state agriculture officials said.

Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain said Thursday it’s the first time the fungus has been positively identified in Louisiana citrus and is similar to citrus scab, which is common in the Gulf South.

The other states affected by the quarantine are Texas and Mississippi.

Sweet orange scab is a fungal disease that results in scab-like lesions developing on fruit rinds. The damage is superficial and does not affect internal fruit quality but can impact fresh fruit marketing.

The disease will not affect the movement of most Louisiana citrus fruit, but Strain said commercial packing houses will have to include a fungicide treatment for scab in their packing procedures.

Louisiana citrus growers are already quarantined for Asian citrus psyllid. The gnat-sized pest was first found in Louisiana in 2008. It can transmit “greening disease,” which first keeps fruit from ripening and ultimately kills citrus trees.

The majority of Louisiana’s citrus production is in Plaquemines, Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes. The state crop’s gross farm value was $9 million in 2009, according to the LSU AgCenter.