Deep Root Irrigation Research and Testimonials
In 2011, Deep Root Irrigation (DRI) began field testing its product with grapevines in Napa Valley, California. DRI introduced it’s product at the 2015 World Ag Expo, where it won the award for the ‘Top 10 New Products’ of the year! In the same year, DRI was invited to the ‘BlueTech Valley Water Summit’ where the main topic was the ongoing drought in California and it’s impact on the agricultural sector, the water industry, and how global warming can spur new innovations.
DRI left that summit with ‘Best New Invention of the Year’
Below are some independent studies and testimonials to the water savings capabilities and other benefits of DRI.
Famous Napa Valley Winemaker uses DRI on Award Winning Vineyard.
Grace Family Cabernet is considered to be one of the finest in all of Napa Valley and it’s fame is recognized worldwide. Located in Saint Helena, California, their wines are considered one of the seven “Cult Cabernet” producers that became famous for producing tiny amounts of wine at astronomical prices. Their wineries are highly exclusive with long waiting lists.
See the video on how this winemaker was able to grow higher quality grapes and reduce irrigation costs while using DRI.
World Renowned Winemaker, Dick Grace, has been Using DRI Since 2017
California Farmers Respond to the State’s New Water Restrictions for Agriculture:
Due to severe droughts and high demand for water, California’s groundwater is depleting. Because of this, a new era of groundwater management began in 2014 with the passage of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), which aims for local and regional agencies to develop and implement sustainable groundwater management plans.
The goal of SGMA is to incentivize growers to significantly reduce their water consumption.
Almond Growers in California are using DRI to Avoid Fallowing their Land
The Public Policy Institute of California estimated between 500,000 and 780,000 acres of agriculture would have to be fallowed under SGMA. However, some farmers are using DRI to avoid fallowing their land while meeting SGMA’s requirements. See the above video of how one farmer is making it work.
Vineyard Grower Saves Water in the Hot Texas Sun:
With its hot and dry climate, it is difficult to grow crops in Texas. However, this Texas farmer, who was using drip irrigation on his vineyard, decided to add DRI to his existing system. After 3 years of collecting data, he shares his amazing results in this video.
There are many places around the world that are forced to grow their crops in desert-like conditions. The use of DRI in these areas is saving irrigated water like never before.
Texas Vineyard Reduced Irrigated Water by 80%
The 6 Hour Saturation Test.
An Independent study conducted November 5th, 2014, by Coastal Viticultural Consultants, a company of certified professional soil scientist and agronomists, found that after six hours of a side by side test between DRI and standard drip irrigation, DRI created significantly more soil saturation than the standard drip system. As illustrated on the graph to the left, DRI is better at keeping soil moist - especially at deep levels - than standard drip irrigation.
The 30 minute Saturation Test.
This is a great test that can be done in the farmer’s own field. The test is a 30 minute side by side test with a single DRI unit next to a drip irrigation emitter.
The results speak for themselves!
The Sentek Test by Professional Grower Services
Based on an independent report by Professional Grower Services, using Sentek probe technology, Deep Root Irrigation can use 61.5% less water than a surface drip system. According to this test, DRI also achieved 50% soil saturation in half the time of the surface drip application.
California Almonds:
In 2016, a family owned California almond grower used DRI on a two year old orchard. Previously, due to a severe local drought, their orchard did not have access to enough water to sustain their 10.7 GPH fan jets for their almond trees for the 2016 season.
However, with DRI, these almond growers were able to save their orchard! Here’s what they had to say:
“I can honestly say, if we had not switched to DRI, we would have lost this entire orchard. We simply didn’t have enough water! We now irrigate with DRI using only 40% of the water we used last year with fan jets. Look at all the new growth!”
Amazing plant response - The above photo is a prune tree that was flood irrigated for one year. The picture to the right was irrigated with DRI over the same time period and in the same soil conditions!
DRI used about 85"% less water than the flood system. The acreage using DRI created tremendous water reductions and better plant response over flood irrigation. Moreover, Wooley Farms experienced no weed maintenance costs, as well as a substantial reduction in fertilizer costs.
Wooley Farms
Wooley Farms is a family owned organic farm who’s owner, Brad Johnson, installed DRI on 325 newly planted prune trees. At the same time, he planted several thousand new prune trees using his old flood irrigation system. All new plantings were less than 30” tall when they were planted in October 2015.
After one year of growth, Brad took these pictures comparing the trees on DRI and the those on flood irrigation. The trees on DRI grew almost twice as much as those on flood irrigation. Moreover, the acreage planted with DRI was practically weed free!
A major win for the environment and this farmer’s bottom line!
Maness Vineyards
San Diego, California
In San Diego County, California, vineyard designer, Greg Maness of Maness Vineyards and Casi Cielo Winery, had this to say after he used DRI-12 units on one of his vineyard:
“What a year last year was, indeed! Great success with DRI so far. Everything they said is true… Quite an extraordinary product, and we will need to re-order several thousand units soon, as well as, for this year…. We did a new planting June 2016, within 2 months, the new vineyard had flourished and we even had grapes on 2 month old vines!”
Greg Maness, Owner
“I’ve been able to dial in the irrigation cycles so that the water is completely underground. It’s a substantial savings in water and energy….about 60% from my normal drip. Also, the weed problem has been almost eliminated.”
John Kiely, Vineyard Engineer, Maness Vineyards.