WESLACO – The recent heavy rain could impact crops by spreading a disease called ‘citrus canker’.

The disease has taken over hundreds of lime trees throughout Cameron County.

All detections of citrus canker have been found on residential properties.

“Once the tree becomes infected, the canker spreads throughout the tree. Over time, you see a lot of leaves drop. When you lose a lot of leaves, the citrus tree diminishes in production,” says Dr. Olufemi Alabi, associate professor & extension specialist at Texas A&M University AgriLife Research & Extension Center.

Signs of the disease include blister-like marks on the fruit, stems and leaves of an infected tree.  

If you have a tree that shows signs of citrus canker, report it to the Citrus Alert website.

KRGV’s Sierra Pizarro has the details.

Watch the video above for the full story.