Fuente: WIPO "tomato" The present invention relates to Cucumis melo plant having a modified lncRNA gene according to SEQ ID NO: 1, or according to a sequence having at least 50% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1, having a modification, wherein the modification comprises an insertion, a deletion or a substitution of at least one nucleotide. The modified lncRNA gene has a changed function, a reduced function, or is non-functional. The modification is suitably in the second exon and can be a G1571A mutation at position 1571 in SEQ ID NO: 1. Presence of the modified lncRNA gene confers improved shelf life of the fruits, when compared to fruits of an isogenic melon plant lacking the modified lncRNA gene. The improved shelf life of the fruits is characterized by a prolonged firmness of the fruit flesh, and/or by a delay of the ethylene peak during ripening of the fruits.