The biotic and abiotic environmental stress factors remain the most pervasive and destructive phenomena that continue to inflict growth and yield perturbations in agriculture worldwide. These stresses include inorganic factors such as extremely high or low temperatures, drought or flooding, salinity, nutrient deficiency or metal toxicity, as well as bacteria, viruses, fungi, insects and weeds that constitute an array of organic stress factors. However, numerous studies have examined the impact of single or individual stress on crops, than multiple stresses that interact in various ways, causing devastating adverse effects on the plant’s normal metabolism, growth and yield. Iqbal et al. (2021) reported that this plethora of environmental cues pose serious challenges on crops in achieving their full genetic potential for growth and reproduction. One such environmental problem is the recurrent attack by pests, and often with the concomitant impact of drought, on the cultivation and harvesting of crops such as okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench). Okra, commonly known as “Lady’s Finger” belongs to the family Malvaceae which includes several other economically important crops like cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) and a popular tropical Southeast Asian fruit, durian (Durio zibethinus), known for its distinctive strong odor, as well as its unique flavor. Other notable members of this family include kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus) used for fiber production, kola-nut (Cola nitida) used for manufacturing of beverages and flavoring agents, and hibiscus plants (Hibiscus spp.) utilized for ornamental purposes (Das and Islam, 2019; Basheer et al., 2021). However, many species within the Malvaceae family, with the inclusion of okra, still need to be fully explored as potential medicinal, food and feed crops (Basheer et al., 2021), since they exhibit valuable nutritional, health and ecological values. Current efforts of crop diversification involving okra breeding, nevertheless, face unique challenges characterized by genetic bottlenecks, complex trait inheritance, long breeding cycles, poor agronomic practices, and the lack of confirmed inherent resistance genes required to confer tolerance to multi-stress factors.

The advent of genetic and/or molecular breeding technologies, particularly, genomic selection and gene editing (Lamichhane and Thapa, 2022) have significant potential on improving the generation of mutant lines or genetically improved varieties that are less susceptible to adverse environmental conditions. Traditional breeding techniques like hybridization, back cross breeding, recurrent selection, mass selection and pure-line selections (Mustafa et al., 2021; Prabhu et al., 2023; Anand et al., 2023) are some of the approaches augmented by their integration with these modern plant breeding methodologies. However, we argue in this paper that this integration is not yet fully harnessed for the attainment of improved genetic variability and diversity in okra to generate cultivars showing resistance to unfavorable conditions during large and small-scale cultivations. It is worth noting that approaches such as marker-assisted selection, genetic engineering, mutation breeding and genomic editing, if thoroughly implemented in okra breeding, can allow breeders to identify and transfer specific genes associated with multi-stress tolerance to unlock new opportunities for successful development of new varieties. This much anticipated genetic manipulation, associated with the identification and mapping of various genes and quantitative trait loci (QTL) (Prabhu et al., 2023) with accompanying multiple biotic and abiotic constraints analyses may also lead to the discovery of valuable and abundant growth-yield related DNA marker traits. Therefore, this paper review historical and recent investigations into the consequences of multi-stress factors in okra by focusing on both physiological and biological effects, genetic variations and mechanisms shaping those variations. Furthermore, to share some insights on these issues, we discuss previous, current and future advancements in okra breeding with a particular emphasis on genomic breeding strategies to unlock inherent stress-resistant genes and the impact of multi-stresses that are persistently affecting growth and yield of this crop, particularly, to circumvent them, and improve traits such as higher yield, disease resistance and adaptability to climate change for purposes of realizing its genetic potential under commercial or small-scale agricultural setting.

Okra is considered one of the most marginalized but important vegetable crop of East African origin. Hypothetically, okra originated from one putative ancestor (Abelmoschus ficulneus) which is native to the Sahel region, including countries such as Niger and the northern part of Nigeria (Narkhede et al., 2014; Swamy, 2023). This crop is cultivated under subtropical and tropical climates, with most of its cultivation taking place in wide ranging soils under rain-fed and irrigated conditions (Yildiz et al., 2025). Okra is suitable for cultivation as both a garden crop and large-scale commercial farming. It is grown commercially in India, Nigeria and other parts of Africa, and America, especially Mexico as illustrated in Figure 1. According to the production statistics by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAOSTAT, 2025), India ranks first in world okra production with more than 7.1 million tons (70% of the total global production) per annum. As India remains the largest okra producer with peak production occurring between April and July. Patra et al. (2023) suggested that only a modest increase in yield on current area harvested could be achieved due to the lack and demand for high-yielding seed varieties. As a result, other major okra producing states (Figure 1) except India, focus on domestic supply instead of exports to international markets. This confirms the many existing agricultural deficits and challenges facing okra growers and breeding efforts in the already mentioned regions.

However, the global okra production market demonstrated consistent minimal increases, particularly, since 2020, while challenges such as the unavailability of uniform-sized seeds, low quality grains, poor yielding varieties and issues relating to storage, transportation and packaging constitute major problems in the okra industry. But, in Africa, as demonstrated in Figure 1b, okra production and yield also show marginal increases in the region that is proportional to the area harvested. There is limited statistics in many African countries such as South Africa, whose okra production has been concentrated in warmer regions like Limpopo Province. However, in South Africa, okra serves as one of the established crops grown with relatively low-maintenance, well-drained soil and plenty of sunlight with ideal temperatures between 22 to 30°C. Therefore, tackling these challenges, including the development of new high-yielding, stress resistant varieties, and optimization of agronomic practices remains a prerequisite for sustainable crop production (Patra et al., 2023). Furthermore, okra is well suited for cultivation in water resource-scarce areas, which implies that it reduces and improves water-use efficiency (WUE). With the global water crisis continuing to negatively impact human lives and food production, the WUE of crops such as okra is also very critical, and any crop with low water-use efficiencies will serve as one of the main concerns impeding sustainable crop production and productive agriculture.

Reducing the impact of multiple stresses that negatively affect okra production, nutritional content and potency, as well as the concentrations of phytochemicals comprising its health benefits requires the integration of modern agricultural biotechnology into okra breeding programmes. Currently, attempts to expand the okra gene pool has been achieved via interspecific cross breeding of which Yadav et al. (2025) indicated that it exhibit limitations of pre- and post- zygotic barriers. These barriers constitute restrictive mechanisms that prevent gene flow by blocking processes involved in the successful reproduction of fertile hybrids at different stages, often resulting in sterile offsprings (Wang and Filatov, 2023). Therefore, to address the frequency of sterility occurring in first filial generation (F1) hybrids onwards, integrated breeding, which involves novel tools and techniques for gene selection and incorporation into amenable hosts must be practiced. The adoption of this integrative approach will be able to provide the needed pace, precision and efficiency in accelerating breeding and delivery of newly improved okra varieties. This will also circumvent delays and long-breeding cycles involved in traditional hand emasculation and pollination that are presently responsible for the production of commercial hybrid seeds in okra and other crops (Suma et al., 2023; Wang and Filatov, 2023). Moreover, the adoption of this approach will improve the combating of biotic and abiotic stress factors that perpetuate the environment-related crop failures posing an immediate threat to agriculture, globally. The impact of these single or multiple stress effects in this crop and how they can be dealt with using modern technologies are discussed below.

Although, okra is perceived as a low-value and low market crop in some regions, this crop is quite popular in some countries due to the ease of cultivation, dependable yield and adaptability to varying environmental conditions. According to Swamy (2023), such reliable okra varieties that are cultivated in these regions are amphidiploids (2n = 130) containing a complete diploid set of chromosomes. This doubling of chromosome allows the plant to sexually reproduce and develop hybrids that exist as new independent species. Amphidiploids are typically allopolyploids, meaning they have multiple sets of chromosomes possessing growth and stress-resistant genes derived from different ancestral species (Suma et al., 2023). Okra varieties, as allopolyploids that evolved from diverged genomes are beneficial for adapting to changing environmental conditions and developing new crop varieties from their amphidiploid genetic base. This genetic advantage that okra and other Abelmoschus spp. contain offer breeders the opportunity to develop new cultivars with increased vigor, larger pods/plant organs, enhanced stress tolerance and broader genetic diversity. The abovementioned qualities are instrumental in the improvement of productivity, quality and overall yield for sustainable cultivation and commercialization of okra. In Africa, as illustrated in Figure 1b okra production and yield showed marginal increases in 2024 compared to 2021–2023 (data available at https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL).

Clearly, the increases are associated with the varieties’ genetic composition and potential. Presumably, the amphidiploid nature of varieties used earlier acted as a genetic bridge to transfer beneficial genes from wild okra relatives into cultivated okra. This may have improved yield-enhancing traits by facilitating the speciation of new varieties with improved growth and reproductive characteristics. Recent reports showed that polyploidisation may lead to intraspecific variations in traits associated with abiotic stress, and those include pronounced differences in root, shoot and numerous other quantitative stress responsive characteristics in plants (Martinez-Perez et al., 2003; Mokhtari et al., 2022). For instance, Islam et al. (2022) reported that polyploidy increased plant drought tolerance by effecting large cell sizes, altered stomatal density, improved hydraulic conductivity and stress-related gene expression and hormonal pathways in Citrullus spp. However, like in Citrullus spp. and any other plants, okra exhibit significant evolutionary ploidy changes at multiple levels in response to biotic and abiotic stresses. This include gene expression mediated changes, and metabolic accumulations (Figure 2) leading to the formation and prevention of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which induce oxidative damage (Liu et al., 2025). Muthaiah et al. (2024) also reported okra’s transcriptome sequencing and gene expression analysis that revealed both positive and negative regulation of genes in susceptible and stress resistant plants. The transcriptome sequencing and gene expression analysis involving secondary metabolites production are instrumental in providing crucial genomic resources and identifying genes linked to desirable traits like resistance to multi-stresses. In addition to enabling the development of improved cultivars through MAS and genomic selection. In elucidating the genome-based defence mechanism against these stresses, such as drought and YVMV, which caused substantial yield losses of up to 80–90% (Mubeen et al., 2021), it was found that okra’s extensive genomic deletions may have affected its biosynthesis of secondary metabolites required to trigger resilience against biotic stress factors and environmental adaptation. Similarly, this crop retained a substantial number of genes relating to metabolic content change across different okra varieties and developmental stages (Wang et al., 2023).

The response of okra to individual or multiple stress factors remains very complicated, and the molecular, as well as physiological mechanisms underlying this process are still ambiguous. These stresses result in carbohydrate metabolic pathways inhibitions, while influencing some of the secondary metabolic processes, either negatively or positively. Studies have also revealed that defence metabolites such as amino acids, carbohydrates (particularly glycosides and sugar esters), lipids, phenolics, terpenoids, alkaloids and glucosinolates constitute chemicals also found in okra and other plants. These metabolites are used as signaling molecules, osmolytes, osmoprotectants, and antioxidants, helping to neutralize harmful free radical scavenging activity occurring during the period of stress (Sandeep et al., 2022; Elkhalifa et al., 2021; Najafi et al., 2024). For example, in maize (Zea mays L.), key modifications of metabolite production through gene editing targeting specific genes like Hahb4, CspA, CspB, NF-YB1, NF-YB2, TPS/TPP, TsVP, OsNACs, OsERF71, HVA1, ARGOS8 and AtOSR7, which have not been achieved in okra were reported (Rynjah et al., 2025). As an important source of highly nutritious chemicals, representing a good variation of proteins, vitamins, carbohydrates and minerals (shown in Figure 2f), okra’s rich nutritional composition, particularly vitamins such as ascorbic acid (AsA), riboflavin (vitamin B2) and ß-carotene (vitamin A) are crucial for stress responses, including various plant growth and development functions. Riboflavin for instance, plays a key role in stress management by supporting cellular energy production and acting as an antioxidant, potentially reducing stress associated oxidative damage. Against biotic stress, it acts as an activator of plant defense mechanism by triggering systematic resistance, priming plants for quicker and stronger defense response, and influencing gene expression related to stress management (Abdi et al., 2019; Sandeep et al., 2022).

Various reports on okra genetic improvement, including heterosis and combining abilities recommend streamlined breeding processes to enable efficient development of hybrids with enhanced metabolism to combat stressful conditions (Ranga et al., 2024; Liu et al., 2025). An earlier breeding study (Azami-Sardooei et al., 2010) demonstrated the effect of exogenous application of riboflavin on Phaseolus vulgaris plants, conferring resistance against Botrytis cinerea. Riboflavin applied at concentration of 10–100 μM reduced the number of spreading lesions by approximately 25% compared to the control. Ascorbic acid, known as vitamin C, also plays a crucial role by enhancing plant resistance to biotic stress. This vitamin acts as a potent antioxidant, scavenging ROS produced during pathogen attacks, and during the exposure of plants to abiotic stresses. Furthermore, AsA is involved in various signaling pathways, interacting with other antioxidants and phytohormones to activate defense responses against pathogens to promote the overall health of plants. However, Goggin et al. (2010) earlier argued that the abundance of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid, ascorbate or AsA) in some instances influenced plant susceptibility to insect feeding. This study implied that plant pests such as ants (Formica spp.), blister beetles (Epicauta spp.) and leafhoppers (Cicadellidae) demonstrated attacking okra plants in Figures 2a–c, may do so while influenced by modifications of ascorbic acid contents. Therefore, to achieve the cultivation of healthier okra plants and pods as indicated in Figures 2d, e, showing lesser susceptibility to biotic and abiotic stress, integrating genomics with conventional breeding methodologies will enable direct genotype-phenotype analysis to improve growth and crop yield in okra. As this species (A. esculentus) is well known for its chromosome polymorphisms compared to its genetically unstable wild counterparts. The above differences are considered to be normal genetic variations, typically stable within individual species (with traits heritable in a Mendelian fashion) and could be utilized to develop elite new okra varieties with improved plant morphology, adaptability and evolutionary trajectory (Orimoloye, 2022; Swamy, 2023).

As reported by Patil et al. (2022), Fernandes et al. (2022) and Martinez-Perez et al. (2003), chromosome polymorphism emanates from deletion and addition of one or few DNA sequences carrying the genetic information, which is tolerated in A. esculentus. Although, this provide better breeding opportunities by counteracting remarkable resilience to chromosome loss or gain seen in other crops excluding okra. These genetic characteristics have not yet been fully exploited in okra, like in many other grain crops for cultivar improvement. In wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) for example, certain chromosome deletions have been carried out and exploited in creating genetic stocks for breeding research. This has led to the development of hexaploid wheat (2n = 6x = 42) that currently remains the most common type of cultivated wheat known for its hard and soft kernels, and it is used in various food products like bread and pasta. Moreover, this wheat offers valuable genetic resources for improving stress tolerance in breeding programs (Mokhtari et al., 2022). Chromosome polymorphisms observed in okra, that is also autogamous in nature, also offers new avenues for breeders to restore genes lost during the evolutionary bottlenecks (Martinez-Perez et al., 2003). Okra also exhibits facultative allogamy, meaning it is susceptible to cross-pollination or controlled hybridization (Figure 3) of parents selected based on their better-combining characteristics (Swamy, 2023). Nonetheless, to date, it still not understood how adaptability, variation and possible selection for stress tolerance, especially in arid environment could take advantage of the evolution of A. esculentus from hybridization of A. tuberculatus and/or A. ficulneus in the past (Figure 3). A. esculentus has experienced genetic bottlenecks during domestication and then evolved with a narrow gene pool, perhaps losing a considerable portion of its original genetic diversity in the process. This may warrant exploration of interspecific crosses to create the exchange of genetic material and developing individuals with unique gene combinations. Interspecific hybridization is currently one of the most significant evolutionary phenomenon that can be used to potentially generate novel traits and increased genetic diversity, especially when coupled with modern tools such as molecular maker selection, genome editing and embryo rescue.

As mentioned earlier, these tools can help overcome pre- and post-fertilization barriers, enhance gene transfer and accelerate the breeding process in okra. It was also evidence in studies of other crops that such hybrids have significant genetic variation for biotic and abiotic stress resistance, in addition to the agronomic and desirable quantitative traits (Cao et al., 2023; Sun et al., 2025; Vishwakarma et al., 2025). The molecular marker, such as the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs, pronounced Snips) are the most common type of single-base genetic changes that can be used in identifying genomic regions linked with important traits to enhance breeding accuracy and efficiency (Kumar et al., 2024). In okra, these are found in genes like Ae59G004900 and Ae44G005470 that are involved in regulating seed germination, particularly under salinity stress (Xu et al., 2024). This genetic variation provides a tool for molecular marker-assisted breeding to develop salt-tolerant okra varieties. Such few reports exist, amid various researchers including Bhatnagar (2025) reporting that MAS in okra breeding faces significant limitations due to the crop’s inherent biological complexities and resource constraints. The allopolyploid nature and large size of its genome make the biology of this crop complex, redundant, and with high chromosome number resulting in difficult genetic mapping which hinders the identification of specific genes and reliable molecular markers essential for effective MAS application. Furthermore, techniques like Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats- associated protein 9 (CRISPR-Cas 9) also allow precise gene modification to accelerate breeding. Although, this technique has not been widely applied in okra, due to inefficient DNA modifications/delivery methods and off-target mutations as a result of genome complexity. It promises to address improvement constraints such as regeneration inefficiencies, limited sequence data, and difficulties in DNA isolation due to mucilage properties found in this crop (Figure 3). Nevertheless, this and other genomic tools can be explored and urgently prioritized to improve breeding, for purposes of combating a myriad of risks posed by biotic and abiotic stresses.

The advent of genomic tools currently used for molecular breeding have revolutionized the art and science of improving plants by manipulating their genetics to enhance desired traits such as yield, grain quality and stress resistance. Most crucially, the fact that the global population and adverse effects of climate change are increasing, necessitate increased food production and the need for high-yielding stress resilience cultivars. Genome engineering techniques are therefore, needed to guide the development and production of stress resistant plants, especially for vegetable crops such as okra that emergingly constitute a significant portion of the human diet in various parts of the world. Given the rising interest of consumers and industries into okra, it is thus essential to ensure their sustainability in the face of biotic and abiotic threats, while commercially producing cultivars with valuable traits such as enhanced nutrition and reduced antinutritional components post harvesting. Kushwaha et al. (2025) emphasized integration of emerging technologies such as protoplast-based CRISPR/Cas system with breeding to overcome agricultural challenges. For vegetable crops like okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench), these modern breeding technologies are not yet widely explored, especially for major biotic stress factors like bacterial blights, fungal attacks, viruses, weeds, insect pests (Figure 2) and abiotic stresses (drought, salinity, cold stress, heat stress and light stress, Table 2). Thus, these environmental constraints will continue to undermine conventional breeding efforts if innovative breeding approaches are not adopted. Modern genomic breeding is guaranteed to offer efficiency, precision, specificity, affordability, productivity and sustainability in the breeding of okra and other vegetable crops for multi-stress resistance, particularly better nutrition and sustainability in agriculture.