Mississippi has issued a statewide citrus quarantine after detecting citrus greening disease, one of the most serious citrus plant diseases in the world. The disease, also known as Huanglongbing (HLB), has no cure and causes infected trees to decline and die within a few years. It is spread by the Asian citrus psyllid, a small insect that transmits the bacterial infection.
The quarantine, established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) in cooperation with the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce, prohibits the movement of citrus fruits, plants, and related materials in or out of the state without proper USDA protocol. The action follows positive detections in plant tissue samples collected from residential properties in Harrison County.
Eric Stafne, fruit and nut specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, urged vigilance but not panic. "We do not know how widespread the disease is in Mississippi," he said. "Some symptoms, such as fruit bitterness, can result from other issues. Still, growers and homeowners should be aware of potential signs of HLB."
Citrus greening symptoms include reduced fruit production, bitter or misshapen fruit, premature fruit drop, blotchy leaf mottling, twig dieback, and overall tree decline. Some trees may not show visible symptoms yet still spread the disease to others.
Mississippi's commercial citrus production, primarily satsumas located along and south of Interstate 10, is relatively small but vulnerable. "If these trees become infected, the industry could face significant setbacks," said Stafne.
Under the quarantine, regulated items include citrus fruit, trees, branches, green waste, and dead trees—whether commercially grown or homegrown. These items can be bought and sold within Mississippi, but transporting them across state lines is prohibited unless approved by the USDA.
Asian citrus psyllids, the insects responsible for spreading HLB, are gnat-sized and difficult to detect. Adults are about one-eighth of an inch long and have mottled brown wings, while nymphs excrete a white waxy substance. Eggs are small and typically laid in leaf crevices.
Because the disease spreads easily via infected trees and psyllids, officials stress the importance of purchasing only USDA-certified citrus plants and removing any trees confirmed to be infected. "Once a tree is infected, it becomes a reservoir for the disease and increases the risk of further spread," Stafne explained.
Citrus greening has already been found in several U.S. states and territories, including Georgia, Florida, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and parts of Alabama, California, Louisiana, South Carolina, and Texas.
Officials recommend compliance with quarantine rules and increased awareness to help protect Mississippi's citrus industry. By limiting the movement of potentially infected materials, the state hopes to prevent further spread and minimize damage to its citrus sector.
For more information:
Dr. Eric Stafne
MSU
Tel: +1 662 769 9708
Email: eric.stafne@msstate.edu
www.extension.msstate.edu