Integrated screening of okra genotypes for resistance to sap-sucking pests: Multivariate analysis of biophysical and biochemical trait associations

This dataset contains comprehensive biophysical and trichome trait measurements from 20 okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) genotypes screened for resistance against three major sap-sucking insect pests: leafhopper (Amrasca biguttula biguttula), aphid (Aphis gossypii), and whitefly (Bemisia tabaci).

The dataset includes:
• Resistance grades (HR/R/MR/MS/S/HS) for all three pests across 20 genotypes (IC/EC germplasm lines + cultivars)
• Nine biophysical traits: plant height, stem thickness, leaf area, leaf thickness, leaf moisture content, fruit weight, pericarp thickness, fruit length, and fruit width
• Eight trichome characteristics: density on adaxial/abaxial surfaces, midrib, veins, and total per leaf; plus trichome length measurements on four leaf surfaces

Screening was conducted under field conditions at Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth (PDKV), Akola, Maharashtra, India. Pest resistance was assessed using standard visual rating scales (0–5), while trichome densities were quantified microscopically (trichomes/cm²) and biophysical traits measured at flowering stage following standardized protocols.

This dataset enables:
✓ Identification of trichome-mediated resistance mechanisms (PCA reveals total trichome density as primary resistance driver, loading = 0.93)
✓ Germplasm selection for okra breeding programs targeting multi-pest resistance
✓ Meta-analyses of host-plant resistance traits across solanaceous/cucurbit crops
✓ Validation of morphological markers for marker-assisted selection

Data format: CSV files with clear column headers, units specified, and genotype identifiers matching IC/EC germplasm databases.