GENETIC DIVERSITY IN FOLIAR TERPENOIDS AMONG NATURAL-POPULATIONS OF EUROPEAN BLACK PINE

Genetic variation in mono- and sesquiterpenes of foliage was determine d in the Pinus nigra complex. Samples were obtained from 41 population s in nine regions from western Europe (Cevennes, Pyrenees, Corsica, Ab ruzzia, Calabria, Alps, Sicily, Peloponesia, Pinde). A total of 39 ter penoids were detected, with alpha-pinene the dominant monoterpene and germacrene-D the dominant sesquiterpene. All terpenes exhibited signif icant geographic variation. Insular populations were unique in contain ing low levels of beta-pinene and unusually high amounts of linalyl ac etate. The long isolation of populations in these regions (especially Corsica), and the peculiarities of their terpenoid composition, suppor t the hypothesis that they represent the most original form of black p ine (dating to the Tertiary). Variation patterns within the continenta l range, especially in zones of overlap with other pines (with hybridi zation and introgression) may provide information about the evolutiona ry history of black pine. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.