Topline:
Sweet orange scab, a plant disease that can harm citrus trees, continues to expand in our region. The California Department of Food and Agriculture recently expanded a quarantine in parts of L.A. and Orange counties.
What is it? SOS is a fungal pathogen that causes young citrus fruit to look scarred. The disease can lead to premature fruit drop and stunt the growth of young trees. Tangerines, sweet oranges and other citrus are at risk.
Where is it? After it was previously found in L.A. and Ventura counties last year, sweet orange scab has expanded into both the Irvine and La Puente areas. Officials expanded the quarantine zone to include those areas, which means residents should not move plants.
You can visit the CDFA’s website to see a map of currently quarantined areas…