| Summary: | In temperate European forests invaded by <i>Prunus serotina</i> Ehrh. (black cherry), a reduction in the spontaneous regeneration capacity of <i>Pinus sylvestris</i> L. (Scots pine) is observed. It could be caused by various factors, including allelopathic properties of this invasive plant. In this study the phytotoxic effect of <i>P. serotina</i> volatile compounds on <i>P. sylvestris</i> and the seasonal variation in this effect were assessed. Simple assays showed that volatiles emitted from <i>P. serotina</i> leaves significantly inhibited root growth of <i>P. sylvestris</i> seedlings. Their negative effect on stem growth was much weaker. The strongest phytotoxic effect on Scots pine seedlings was caused by the volatiles emitted from the youngest black cherry leaves. In fresh foliage of <i>P. serotina</i>, nineteen volatile organic compounds were identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The dominant compound was benzaldehyde. On the basis of tests of linalool alone, it was found that this monoterpene present in the volatile fraction has a strong allelopathic potential and inhibits germination, root elongation and shoot elongation of pine seedlings. The results of our research suggest that volatile compounds from <i>P. serotina</i> leaves could limited survival of <i>P. sylvestris</i> individuals in the seedling phase.
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