WBRZ - Baton Rouge

Citrus growers need to be on the lookout for sweet orange scab of citrus caused by a fungus and recently found on a satsuma tree in Orange, Texas.

Previously, this disease had only been reported in South America.

A plant pathologist says the scab presents little problem, but it affects the ability to sell the fruit because of the way it looks.

It can be controlled with fungicides applied at and shortly after bloom.

A survey for sweet orange scab within one-mile of the infected tree in Texas was conducted over the weekend.

A similar check for the disease in Calcasieu Parish will begin this week.