Effects of planting on concentrations of terpenes, resin acids and total phenolics in Pinus sylvestris seedlings

Effects of planting on concentrations of some secondary compounds of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seedlings were studied. Three-year-old seedlings were planted in early spring, and control seedlings were left at the same growing site where they were planted the previous year. Sampling was done t hree times during the growing season. Terpene concentrations in needles and resin acid and total phenolic concentrations in needles and stems were ana lysed. Shortly after planting, concentrations of most of the individual and total terpenes and resin acids were higher, while at the end of the growin g season concentrations were lower in planted seedlings compared to control s. No trends could be seen in total phenolic concentrations. The results in dicate that planting alters secondary metabolism of Scots pine seedlings. T his may have implications in the resistance of seedlings to pests and patho gens.