Drilling holes for cheatgrass seeds in an experimental plot

USGS researchers preparing to plant cheatgrass seeds in an experimental plot near Boise, Idaho and look at the impact of temperature, planting density, and genetics on cheatgrass phenology. Holes are drilled in a grid to ensure cheatgrass seeds are planted with even spacing at the same depth. 25 seeds were planted per plot. Some plots were planted at high density with seeds placed 1 cm apart, and others were low density with 10 cm spacing.