Nerson, H., Department of Vegetable Crops, Agricultural Research Organization, Newe Ya'ar Research Center, P.O. Box 90.000, Haifa 31900, Israel
Burger, Y., Department of Vegetable Crops, Agricultural Research Organization, Newe Ya'ar Research Center, P.O. Box 90.000, Haifa 31900, Israel

Three experiments were conducted at two locations in winter 1992 to compare the yield and quality characteristics of two Galia-type muskmelon hybrids ('Galia' and 'Gala') and their parental lines. In most cases the hybrids produced more than their parents, however, the yields were low during the cool winter months. The paternal parent of 'Galia' was very sensitive to the cool season with respect to fruit-set capability. Both parents lines of each hybrid produced small fruits during the winter, mostly below the minimum commercial threshold of 400 g. Many fruits of 'Galia' and some of 'Gala', grown under prostrated conditions, were unacceptable at harvest due to breakdown of the flesh, observed as water-soaked spots, a characteristic which was even more severe in their maternal parents. Shelf-life of Galia-type hybrids was relatively short. Hybrid fruits, similar to their parental lines and especially the maternal lines, rapidly lost their firmness and thus their commercial value. 'Gala' fruits, like its male parent, lost more than 8% of their weight during 7 days at 20 °C. The results indicate that Galia-type hybrids, which were bred for outdoor production, are not well adapted to winter greenhouse conditions and each of their limitations can be attributed clearly either to the paternal or maternal parent. The increased demand for melons during the winter requires a specific breeding program to improve yield and fruit quality.