Headspace GC-MS analysis of differences in intra- and interspecific Terpene profiles of Picea pungens Engelm. and P. abies (L.) Karst.

Conifer terpenes mediate a number of ecological roles such as deterring herbivory and allelopathic (plant-plant) communication. These terpenes also effect air quality and climate models and are used in chemotaxonomic studies. Herein we report on variation in both intra- and interspecific spruce terpenes using static headspace gas chromatography mass spectrometry (HS-GC-MS) and principal component analysis (PCA) of 'fingerprint' volatile profiles.