Volatiles emitted by cones and foliage of the Swiss stone pine (Pinus
cembra), as well as cone volatiles emitted by some other conifers (Picea
abies, Abies alba, Pinus uncinata, P. sylvestris, P. koraiensis, P. pumila,
P. peuce, P. strobus, P. parviflora, P. wallichiana and P. armandi) were
collected using headspace techniques and analyzed by GC-mass spectrometry.
The same major monoterpenes, i.e. @a-pinene, @b-pinene, and
limonene+@b-phellandrene were found in both the cone and foliage volatiles
of Swiss stone pine. The monoterpene profile did not vary among cones from
the same tree, or among different geographic origins. A few differences
were noted between trees from the same stand, and over cone development. In
other conifers, cone emissions consisted of the same monoterpenes, plus
3-carene, with specific proportions related to tree species.