Abies alaba Mill.: Differentiation of provenances and provenance groups by the monoterpene patterns in the cortex resin of twigs

The monoterpenes of the oleoresin of the cortex of 1543 seedlings from 63 provenances originating from most parts of the distribution area of Abies alba were analysed by gas chromatography. The provenances could be assigned to three or four major provenances groups. Thirteen chemotypes could be characterized. The interpretation of the mean values of single monoterpenes resulted in the separation of three major provenance groups (western central Europe, eastern central Europe and eastern-southeastern Europe + central-southern Italy). By using the proportions of chemotypes, the third provenance group could be split in two. Some chemotypes were restricted in distribution and the number of chemotypes within the provenances varied.