Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) essential oil yields affected by environmental and physiological changes

Abstract

ABSTRACTLoblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) is one of the most abundant timber species in the United States and needles from this species contain essential oils (EOs) with antibacterial properties. Needles from trees of one loblolly pine clone were assayed for the EOs α-pinene, β-pinene, terpineol, limonene, and caryophyllene across a growing season. Results showed strong positive correlations among EOs, except for caryophyllene, with Pearson’s correlation values ranging from .66–.96. Simultaneously, physiological attributes of tree stomatal conductance, water stress, and environmental attributes including soil moisture, photosynthetic active radiation (PAR), temperature, wind speed, and relative humidity were measured. The plants modulated the EO concentrations as a function of a changing environment season. The collection month had the largest effect on EO yields and highest yields were during the beginning of the growing season. Decreases in EOs were evident as the growing season progressed and as plants exhibited greater water stress, temperatures, solar radiation, and less stomatal conductance and soil moisture. Loblolly pine’s main constituents of EOs were tightly linked and were influenced by seasonal changes (i.e., month); still, environmental/physiological attributes exhibited significant effects on α-pinene, β-pinene, and limonene concentrations. Early spring conditions with ample water were most conducive to high concentrations of EOs.