Effects of Temperature and Salinity on the Germination of Triticum aestivum

In this laboratory exercise, students explore the potential impacts of temperature and salinity on agricultural systems. Specifically, wheat seed germination was evaluated across a temperature range of 15-35 °C and in the presence or absence of sodium chloride (NaCl), thereby simulating scenarios of rising temperatures and increasing soil salinity. The primary objective of this activity was to raise students' awareness of the challenges that climate change may pose to crop production and, consequently, to promote critical thinking about agronomic strategies that could mitigate these adverse effects. The results indicate that both root and shoot growth of wheat seedlings increase as temperature rises within the tested range. However, at elevated temperatures (35 °C), particularly under saline conditions, both root and shoot development were markedly reduced. These findings allow students to examine the interactive effects of temperature and salinity stress while connecting experimental observations to broader environmental and agricultural issues.