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Non-trellised culture of tomato is gaining interest among farmers cultivating long shelf-life (LSL) landraces because of the reduction in production costs. This cropping system can benefit from the selection of determinate growth genotypes, mirroring the advancements achieved in processing tomatoes. With this aim, and profiting from the natural variation found within the Penjar landrace, we selected traditional determinate genotypes and breed novel lines carrying both the self-pruning (sp) and the compound inflorescence (s) mutations. Traditional genotypes and breeding lines were compared to commercial controls in a three multi-locality trial and under two irrigation regimes (normal watered, 100% ETc; and water deficit, 50% ETc). Water use efficiency, harvest index, yield and fruit quality traits were studied at harvest. During postharvest, the effects of genotype and management practices on shelf life were assessed under different storage conditions (controlled conditions/cold storage/farmer facilities). All genotypes used water more efficiently under water deficit irrigation than under normal irrigation. Harvest index was improved in the determinate genotypes and was neither affected by locality nor by irrigation factors. Breeding lines showed yields similar to the controls and the traditional ones; however, they displayed a plant architecture that facilitated their management. They also presented higher postharvest shelf life than controls and traditional lines. Shelf life was significantly affected by genotype (G), locality (L, at early stages), and irrigation regime (I, at later stages), with the contribution of the genotype to the phenotypic variance increasing along the postharvest. Low watering increased shelf life in some genotypes while cold storage and high humidity conditions impeded the long shelf-life trait. Overall, sunscald incidence and percentage of unripe fruits when using a single harvest strategy are the major limitations for non-trellised culture of Penjar tomato. In conclusion, this study sheds light on the main aspects of management and on breeding targets to promote a non-trellised culture of Penjar tomato in combination with optimal water use efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new small translucid Persicula dredged off Southern Bahia State at depths of 20 up to 30 meters is described and compared to other species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The collection of manuscripts from the monastery of Alcobaça is one of the most important in the Cistercian world. The scriptorium was active from the end of the twelfth to the sixteenth century, and during the end of the thirteenth and the beginning of the fourteenth centuries, transformations both in the materials used for colour and in style, namely historiated and filigreed initials, occurred. In this paper, through the study of a little-known manuscript, the winter Breviary Alc. 54, we will analyse these changes through a study of the pigments applied but also through the liturgy, which enables us to date the manuscript in the Alcobaça scriptorium with an original corpus from the earlier fourteenth century and two additions that were introduced during the second half of the fifteenth century. We argue that these transformations in style, materials and technique were catalysed by the entrance of “university” manuscripts into the abbey. In short, this research shows that the scriptorium was receptive to new ideas, which were absorbed and adapted to its own context. This manuscript provides examples of this: the use of silver in the illuminations, the updating of the palette, the French influence in the historiated initials, and the pen-flourished initials. While these changes were occurring, other Cistercian liturgical traditions and colour application technology stayed in use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The postharvest evolution of Penjar tomatoes has been studied in four accessions representative of the variability of the varietal type. The long-term shelf life of these materials, which carry the alc allele, was confirmed with 31.2-59.1% of commercial fruits after 6 months of effective conservation at room temperature and a limited loss of weight (21.1-27.9%). Aroma in Penjar tomatoes is differentiated from other tomato varieties by a characteristic 'sharp-floral' aroma descriptor. The evolution of the 'sharp-floral' aroma during postharvest showed a peak of intensity at 2 months of postharvest, though in one accession a delay of 2 months in this response was detected. Out of 25 volatiles analysed, including main and background notes, a reverse iPLS variable selection revealed that the main candidates behind this aromatic behaviour are α-terpineol, trans-2-hexenal, 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one, trans-2-octenal, α-pinene, β-ionone, 2 + 3-methylbutanol and phenylacetaldehyde. Between harvest and 2 months postharvest, most compounds reduced considerably their concentration, while the intensity of the 'sharp-floral' descriptor increased, which means that probably there is a rearrangement of the relative concentrations among volatiles that may lead to masking/unmasking processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of time reveals a great deal about deep-rooted sentiments in society, and is therefore fundamental for any historical understanding that aspires to reach beyond the superficial. A short and anonymous Portuguese tale of the fourteenth century - the Conto de Amaro - allows us to address the confluence of the mental, the religious, the cultural, and the social in its concepts of time. The Conto registers the coexistence of various synchronicities, but an almost immobile form of time predominates, contrasting - not by chance - with the accelerated transformations of its time: the affirmation of the Portuguese monarchy, the development of the national language, a demographic crisis, territorial expansion overseas, and criticism of traditional formalist spirituality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]