There are a lot of people and companies seeking ways to combat California’s ongoing drought. Napa’s Jeff Ciudaj just may have an answer: Deep Root Irrigation LLC (DRI). His simple, inexpensive and easy-to-install invention delivers water directly to a plant’s roots without the risk of evaporation and saves up to 50 percent of water use when irrigating bushes, vines and trees. Tests have shown about twice the water available to the roots of the plant when using the system.Originally from the Midwest, Ciudaj has a background in construction and a knack for invention. Working in Napa, he’s become friends with many vineyard and winery owners. “Water has always been an issue,” he says. “Some of the vines were having a problem where the roots would grow toward the surface. I figured it was because they were growing toward their water source.” His solution? Create a product that would irrigate the vines from below, so the roots would grow downward instead.
The DRI products are attached directly to existing drip irrigation systems and extend to below the roots, where the water is released. Ciudaj and his son, Jason, have worked with vineyard and orchard owners to test the system statewide for more than five years, and results have been extremely positive. The products first became commercially available July 2014 through A&J Vineyard Supply in St. Helena. The first formal introduction of the system was at Rootstock Napa Valley in November 2014.
“I’m estimating that within the next decade, people will turn to DRI as an alternative to surface irrigation,” he says. “Large agriculture uses 80 percent of California’s water supply. If we can reduce that by 50 percent, it would make a huge difference.
“To keep up with the growing demand for food and water, caused by population growth, we must get smarter about how we use our water,” he continues.
The company is continuing to test the technology, not only with vineyard growers, but also with those who grow almonds, pistachios and more. Even backyard growers have shown interest.
“We have interest from all over the world,” says Ciudaj. Currently, many farmers are conducting trials of the DRI system in their orchards and vineyards. Further testing at CSU Fresno’s Center for Irrigation Technology will begin when more funds are available from farmers interested in participating as sponsors.
DRI was named a “Top Ten New Product for 2015” at The World AG Expo. In addition, it received First Place as “The Latest and Greatest Technology” presented at the 2015 BlueTech Valley Water Summit in Clovis this past March. Things are looking good.
