This study explores the collaboration between farmers and researchers to manage the rapid spread of swallow-wort (Cynanchum acutum L.) in the date plantations of Israel’s Arava Valley. An aggressive perennial vine originally from wetlands, swallow-wort now threatens desert agriculture by overpowering young date palms, reducing fruit yields, and jeopardizing orchard productivity.
Using a “living lab” approach, we co-create knowledge with farmers by working directly in their orchards to integrate scientific insight with practical management. Our interdisciplinary research combines natural and social sciences, examining the weed’s biology—phenology, pollination, seed production, and rhizome development—alongside farmers’ perceptions, challenges, and practices.
We identified a major knowledge gap regarding effective control, especially relating to the weed’s lifecycle and impacts across both organic and conventional orchards. Although farmers acknowledged the severity of the issue, they were uncertain about how to manage it. Early results show that existing methods—manual removal and herbicides—often fail to stop its spread.
Testing herbicide treatments (glyphosate, fluroxypyr, and glyphosate + saflufenacil) revealed limited success: while vine growth was reduced, overall spread persisted. We also found that insect-pollinated swallow-wort produces more seeds than rhizomes, suggesting that managing the plant before seed dispersal is critical.
The project fosters continuous feedback between farmers and scientists, ensuring adaptive, evidence-based management. By integrating ecological and social perspectives, our goal is to support sustainable, resilient agroecosystems that effectively control swallow-wort while aligning with farmers’ practical needs.
