Influence of a novel resin tapping method on the resin yield and turpentine chemical composition of Masson pine (Pinus massoniana)

Abstract

Pine resin is a potential renewable non-wood product with a wide range of industrial applications and economic value. Masson pine (Pinus massoniana), the main tree species of pine resin in the world, is widely planted in Southern China. However, the resin tapping by traditional methods is performed in an open environment under the sun and rain, resulting in the continuous volatilization of turpentine components such as α-pinene and β-pinene and a loss of the turpentine. This reduced not only the yield of pine resin but also the quality of turpentine and rosin. In this study, a novel resin tapping method was explored by introducing film mulching to pine wounds. The experimental results showed that the mulching treatment was indeed beneficial for pine resin yield. The growth rate of resin yield was up to 55.46 % by transparent film treatment (TFM) when re-wounding was carried out every two days, and the collection was carried out every eight days. The relationship between turpentine content and pine resin yield was analyzed, and a positive relationship was observed. The increase in turpentine content after the film mulching treatment proved that the film mulching treatment could reduce the turpentine loss and thus increase pine resin yield. The turpentine composition and its content variation were analyzed by Gas chromatography (GC) and Gas chromatography-Mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and correlated with turpentine content and pine resin yield. It was confirmed that the key components in turpentine indeed affect pine resin yield. This study can provide a simple and cost-effective method for effectively increasing the turpentine content and pine resin yield, which is economical for both the tapping industry and the pine resin processing industry.