The aim of this study was to investigate the chemical variability between self-sown Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) populations, grouped according to Polish Forest Growth Regions. Plant material (shoot buds and needles) was evaluated in respect of the content and composition of essential oil. The total content of essential oil was determined by hydrodistillation, while its qualitative and quantitative analysis was performed by GC/MS and GC/FID. The major compounds in both raw materials were δ-3-carene and α-pinene. High content of δ-3-carene (8.78 – 9.25%) in needle essential oils among all the populations indicate that they belong to δ-3-carene chemotype. The accumulation of essential oil (0.65-1.45% in shoot buds; 0.83-0.96% in needles), as well as its composition were associated with latitude. Populations localized in the northernmost part of Poland (Mazury-Podlasie Region) were distinguished by the highest content of essential oil as well as the highest share of α-pinene and β-pinene, both in shoot buds and needles.

   Keywords: Scots pine, biodiversity, herbal raw materials, essential oils, forest growth regions