This study was conducted on eight cantaloupe varieties (Galia, Toal, Ideal,
Galor, Vicar, Rafigal, Regal and Primal) to investigate the effect of variety and planting
dates on yielding ability, fruit characteristics and storageability. These varieties were
cultivated at Isna - Qena governorate during the fall and winter seasons of 1998/1999
and 1999/2000. The main results can be summarized as follows:         1- Early yield of Rafigal, Primal and Galia cvs at the first planting date were higher
than that of the other varieties. On the other hand, Total and Galor cvs showed
the lowest early yield in both seasons. Moreover, the first planting date was very
productive compared to the others in both seasons.         2- Total yield of Rafigal, Galia and Ideal cvs had the highest total yield at different
planting dates, while Regal, Galor and Total cvs produced the lowest yield.         3-  Exportable yield was higher during the first planting date than that of other
dates. However, Rafigal, Galia and Primal cvs produced the highest exportable
yield at the first planting date, while Regal, Galor, Total and Ideal cvs produced
low exportable yield in both seasons.         4- Regarding fruit characteristics, Rafigal, Galia, Total, Ideal and Galor cvs showed
the highest values at the first planting date, where Primal, Regal and Vicar cvs
exhibited the lowest values, concerning average fruit weight. Moreover, fruits of
Galia, Rafigal, Ideal and Total cvs were higher than Galor, Vicar, Regal and
Primal at the first planting date, concerning average exportable fruit weight.
Concerning fruit shape index (UD %), Rafigal, Vicar, Ideal and Primal cvs at the
first planting date, generally, appeared to be higher in UD % than Regal, Galor,
Total and Galia cvs. With respect to T.S.S., Vicar, ideal and Rafigal cvs at the
first planting date had the highest content of T.S.S. Moreover, the varieties
Regal, Primal, Galia, Galor, and Total cvs showed the lowest contents,
respectively. Concerning fruit firmness, Primal, Rafigal, Regal and Galia gave
the higher degree of firmness, while Vicar, Ideal, Galor and Total, respectively
showed the lowest values. However, fruits of the first planting date were fermer
than that of second or third planting dates in both seasons.         5-  Regarding to storageability, there were significant increase in weight loss and
decay percent during storage period. Moreover, the rate of decrement in
firmness was much higher with prolongation the storage period. However, the
Primal, Regal and Rafigal cvs exhibited the least weight loss and decay percent
compare to Total and Galor cvs which showed higher losses. Meanwhile Primal,
Regal and Rafigal cvs showed the highest firmness value followed by Galia,
Vicar and Ideal cvs, while Total and Galor cvs exhibited the least firmness
values. On the other hand, the fruits from first planting date showed significantly
lower in weight loss and decay percent but higher firmness compare to those of
second or third.