Cucurbits are well-suited for the maritime climate in western Washington and are considered high value specialty crops. For example, the most recent USDA NASS census data for pumpkins grown in Washington show that 398,000 cwt were produced with a value of $11,844,000 (USDA NASS 2019) in 2018. However, cucurbits are susceptible to a number of bacterial pathogens that can reduce fruit quality. One such group of bacterial pathogens is Pseudomonas syringae. Bacteria are microscopic, single-celled organisms, and Pseudomonas syringae are tiny rod-shaped organisms that are approximately 0.8 by 1–2 μM. Within this species are a number of pathovars, or strains, that cause similar symptoms on cucurbits
