Lynn Sosnoskie

I joined Cornell AgriTech in September 2019  in the School of Integrative Plant Science's Horticulture Section. My work specialty crop weed ecology and management includes tree and vine crops in addition to fresh and processing vegetables.

A native of Shamokin, Pennsylvania, I earned a B.Sc. in Biology from Lebanon Valley College, a M.Sc. in Plant Pathology at the University of Delaware, and a Ph.D. in Weed Science at Ohio State.

Prior to coming to Cornell, I worked as a research scientist at the University of Georgia, the University of California- Davis, and Washington State University. My work has focused on a variety of crops (almonds, cotton, melons, peppers, pistachios, tomatoes, walnuts, and wheat) and a variety of weeds (field bindweed and glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth, hairy fleabane, horseweed, and junglerice). I was most recently employes by the University of California as a Farm Advisor working with agronomic crops in the Central Valley, which is California’s agricultural hub.

In New York, my research is multifaceted. One topic of interest is identifying new herbicide active ingredients for use in specialty crops. Compared to corn, soybean, and cotton, commercial fruits and vegetables are grown on very few acres in the US. Additionally, these crops are often sensitive to many herbicides/herbicide modes of action. Combined, these factors can limit the number of registered chemicals available for weed control in non-agronomic systems. In partnership with commodity groups, agricultural manufacturers, and the IR-4 Project, Sosnoskie’s lab is screening novel products for potential labeling.

However, the repeated use of some herbicides over time and space can lead to intense pressure that selects for biotypes able to tolerate the chemistries. Consequently, another area of focus is confirming and describing herbicide resistance in weed species that have grown increasingly difficult to control. This includes glyphosate resistance and resistance to the ALS-inhibiting chemistries in Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) and waterhemp (Amaranthus tuberculatus). It also includes resistance to paraquat in horseweed (Erigeron canadensis).

Other weed species-herbicide combinations of concern and investigation include common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album)/bentazon, Powell amaranth (Amaranthus powellii)/PPO-inhibiting herbicides, and common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia)/clopyralid.

Although herbicides are an important component of weed management, they are not a silver bullet. Sustainable programs must investigate other tools and technologies for controlling unwanted vegetation. My lab is also exploring non-chemical strategies for weed suppression including covering crops and mulches and vision-guided and electric weeders.

I am absolutely fascinated with weeds and how they are adapted to survive in almost every environment. One of my hobbies is taking pictures of weeds across countries and continents. This has resulted in my husband developing a new hobby as well: Taking pictures of me, taking pictures of weeds with beautiful landscapes and historic buildings completely ignored in the background.

Read more about Lynn in this Weed Science Society of America profiile.

Publications

Journal articles

• Wasacz, M. Sosnoskie, L. M., VanGessel, M. J., Besançon, T. E. 2022. Influence of growth stage and dicamba rate on eggplant, cucumber, and snap bean tolerance and yield response. Weed Technology, In Press.
• Boyd, N., Moretti, M., Sosnoskie, L. M., Singh, V., Kanissery, R., Sharpe, S., Besançon, T., Culpepper, C., Nurse, R., Hatterman-Valenti, H., Mosqueda, E., Robinson, D., Cutulle, M., Sandhu, R. 2022. Occurrence and management of herbicide resistance in annual vegetable production systems in North America. Weed Science, 70:515-528.
• Sosnoskie, L. M., Steckel, S., Steckel, L. 2021. Sicklepod (Senna obtusifolia (L.) H. S. Irwin & Barneby) “Getting sleepy?”. Weed Technology, 35:1052-1058.
• Wasacz, M., Sosnoskie, L. M., Elmore, M., Besançon, T. 2021. Imaging analysis method to quantify leaf deformation in response to sub-lethal rates of dicamba. Weed Technology, 35:733-738.
• Jhala, A. J., Norsworthy, J. K., Ganie, Z. A., Sosnoskie, L. M., Beckie, H. J., Mallory-Smith, C. A., Liu, J. , Wei, W., Wang, J. , Stoltenberg, D. E. 2021. Pollen-mediated gene flow and transfer of resistance alleles from herbicide-resistant broadleaf weeds. Weed Technology, 35:173-187.
• Sosnoskie, L. M., Hanson, B. D., Steckel, L. E. 2020a. Field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis): “all tied up”. Weed Technology, 34:916-921.
• Sosnoskie, L. M., Hayes, R. M., Steckel, L. E. 2020b. Hophornbeam copperleaf (Acalypha ostryifolia Riddell). Weed Technology, 34:305-307.
• Steckel, L. E., Sosnoskie, L. M., Steckel, S. J. 2019. Common evening-primrose (Oenothera biennis L.). Weed Technology, 33:757-760.
• Culpepper, A. S., Sosnoskie, L. M., Shugart, J., Leifheit, N., Curry, M., Gray, T. 2018. Effects of Low Dose Applications of 2,4-D and Dicamba on Watermelon. Weed Technology, 32:267-272.
• Shrestha, A., deSouza, L., Yang, P., Sosnoskie, L. M., Hanson, B. 2018. Differential tolerance of glyphosate-susceptible and –resistant biotypes of junglerice (Echinocloa colona) to environments during germination, growth, and intra-specific competition. Weed Science, 66:340-346.
• Sosnoskie, L. M., Hanson, B. D. 2016. Field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) control in early- and late-planted processing tomatoes. Weed Technology, 30:708-716.
• Moretti, M.L., Sosnoskie, L. M., Shrestha, A., Wright, S. D., Hembree, K. J., Jasieniuk, M., Hanson, B. D. 2016. Distribution of Conyza spp. in Orchards of California and Response to Glyphosate and Paraquat. Weed Science, 64:339-347.
• Price, A. J., Monks, C. D., Culpepper, A. S., Duzy, L. M., Kelton, J. A., Marshall, M. W.,  Steckel, L. E., Sosnoskie, L. M., Nichols, R. L. 2016. High Residue Cover Crops Alone or with Strategic Tillage to Manage Glyphosate-Resistant Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) in Southeastern Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum). Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, 71:1-11.
• Sosnoskie, L. M., Culpepper, A. S., Braxton, L. B., Richburg, J. S. 2015. Evaluating the volatility of three formulations of 2,4-D when applied in the field. Weed Technology, 29:177-184.
• Gao, S., Sosnoskie, L. M., Cabrera, S. A., Qin, R., Hanson, B. D., Gerik, J. S., Wang, D., Browne, G. T., Thomas, J. E. 2015. Fumigation efficacy and emission reduction using low-permeability film in orchard soil fumigation. Pest Management Science, DOI: 10.1002/ps.3993
• Hanson, B., Wright, S. Sosnoskie, L. M., Fisher, A., Jasieniuk, M, Roncoroni, J, Hembree, K., Orloff, S., Shrestha, A., Al-Khatib, K. 2014. Herbicide resistant weeds challenge signature California cropping systems. California Agriculture, 68:142-152.
• Sosnoskie, L. M., Webster, T. M., Grey, T. L., Culpepper, A. S. 2014. Severed stems of Amaranthus palmeri are capable of regrowth and seed production in Gossypium hirsutum. Annals of Applied Biology, 165:147-154.
• Sosnoskie, L. M., Culpepper, A. S. 2014. Glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) increases herbicide use, tillage, and hand-weeding in Georgia cotton. Weed Science, 62:393-402.
• Sosnoskie, L. M., Webster, T. M., Culpepper, A. S. 2013. Glyphosate resistance does not affect Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) seedbank longevity. Weed Science, 61:283-288.
• Merchant, R. M., Sosnoskie, L. M. S, Culpepper, A. S., Steckel, L. E., York, A. C., Braxton, L. B., Ford, J. C. 2013. Weed response to 2,4-D, 2,4-DB and dicamba applied alone or with glufosinate. Journal of Cotton Science, 17: 212-218.
• MacRae, A. W., Webster, T. M., Sosnoskie, L. M., Culpepper, A. S., Kichler, J. M. 2013. Cotton yield loss potential in response to length of Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) interference. Journal of Cotton Science,17:227-232.
• Grey, T. L., Cutts, G. S. III, Sosnoskie, L. M., Culpepper, A. S. 2012. Italian ryegrass Lolium perenne) control and Winter Wheat Response to POST Herbicides. Weed Technology, 26:644-648.
• Wallace, R. D., Culpepper, A. S., MacRae, A. W., Sosnoskie, L. M., Grey, T. L. 2012. Vegetable crop response to EPTC applied preemergence under low-density polyethylene and high barrier plastic mulch. Weed Technology, 26:54-60.
• Sosnoskie, L. M., Webster, T. M., MacRae, A. W., Grey, T. L., Culpepper, A. S. 2012. Pollen- Mediated Dispersal of Glyphosate-Resistance in Palmer Amaranth under Field Conditions. Weed Science, 60:366-373.
• Sosnoskie, L. M., Wallace, R. D., Kichler, J., Culpepper, A. S. 2011. Multiple resistances to glyphosate and pyrithiobac in Palmer amaranth in Georgia. Weed Science, 59:321-325.
• Wallace, R. D., Sosnoskie, L. M., Culpepper, A. S., York, A. C., Edmisten, K. L, Patterson, M. G., Jones, M. A., Crooks, H. L., Cloud, J. L., Pierson, J. 2011. Tolerance of GlyTol™and GlyTol™ + LibertyLink® cotton to glyphosate and glufosinate in the Southeastern U. S. Journal of Cotton Science, 15:80-88.
• Webster, T. M., Sosnoskie, L. M. 2010. The loss of glyphosate efficacy: a changing weed spectrum in Georgia cotton. Weed Science, 58:73-79.
• Sosnoskie, L. M., Webster, T. M., Dales, D., Rains, G. C., Grey, T. L., Culpepper, A. S. 2009. Pollen grain size, density and settling velocity for Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri). Weed Science, 57:404-409.
• Sosnoskie, L. M., Culpepper, A. S, York, A. C., Beam, J. B., MacRae, A. W. 2009. Sequential Applications for Mesosulfuron and Nitrogen Needed in Wheat (Triticum aestivum). Weed Technology, 23:404-407.
• Sosnoskie, L. M., Cardina, J. 2009. Laboratory methods for breaking dormancy in garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) seeds. Invasive Plant Science and Management, 2:185-189.
• Sosnoskie, L. M., Herms, C. P., Cardina, J., Webster, T. M. 2009. Seedbank and emerged weed communities following adoption of glyphosate-tolerant crops in a long-term tillage and rotation study. Weed Science, 57:261-270.
• Sosnoskie, L. M., Davis, A. L., Culpepper, A. S. 2008. Response of seeded and transplanted summer squash to S-metolachlor applied at planting and POST. Weed Technology, 22:253-256.
• Sosnoskie, L. M., Luschei, E. C., Fanning, M. A. 2007. Field margin weed species diversity in relation to landscape attributes and adjacent land use. Weed Science, 55:129-136.
• Sosnoskie, L. M., Herms, C. P., Cardina, J. 2006. Weed seedbank community composition in a 35-year-old tillage and rotation experiment in Ohio. Weed Science, 54:263-273.
• Cardina, J., Sosnoskie, L. M., Herms, C. P. 2003. Seedbank changes following the adoption of glyphosate tolerant crops. Aspects of Applied Biology, 69:77-81.

Peer-Reviewed Book Chapters

• Fennimore, S. A., Hanson, B. D., Sosnoskie, L. M., Samtami, J. B., Datta, A., Knezevic, S. Z., Siemens, S. C. 2013. In: Field applications of automated weed control: Western hemisphere. In: Automation: The future of weed control in cropping systems. S. L. Young and F. J. Pierce, eds. Springer, Inc.
• Culpepper, A. S., Webster, T. M., Sosnoskie, L. M., York, A. C. 2010 Glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth in the United States. In: Glyphosate resistance in crops and weeds: History, development, and management. V. J. Nandula, Ed. John Wiley and Sons, Inc.

 Weed Identification Guidebook Entries

• Sosnoskie, L. M. 2010 Lespedeza cuneata (Dumont) G. Don. Weeds of the Midwestern United States and Central Canada. Page 219. C. T. Bryson and M. S. DeFelice, Eds. University of Georgia Press.
• Sosnoskie, L. M. 2010 Verbena hastata L. Weeds of the Midwestern United States and Central Canada. Page 305. C. T. Bryson and M. S. DeFelice, Eds. University of Georgia Press.
• Sosnoskie, L. M. 2010 Veronica arvensis L. Weeds of the Midwestern United States and Central Canada. Page 289. C. T. Bryson and M. S. DeFelice, Eds. University of Georgia Press.
• Sosnoskie, L. M. 2010 Viola bicolor Pursh. Weeds of the Midwestern United States and Central Canada. Page 308. C. T. Bryson and M. S. DeFelice, Eds. University of Georgia Press.
• Sosnoskie, L. M. 2009. Lespedeza cuneata (Dumont) G. Don. Weeds of the South. Page 203. C. T. Bryson and M. S. Defelice, Eds. University of Georgia Press.
• Sosnoskie, L. M. 2009. Viola bicolor Pursh. Weeds of the South. Page 311. C. T. Bryson and M. S. Defelice, Eds. University of Georgia Press.