F₁ progenies resulting from a 10 × 10 diallel cross including reciprocals, in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) cultivars of different susceptibility to the jassid, Empoasca kerri Pruthi, were studied to determine the inheritance of trichomes on the adaxial surface of the leaf, leaf midrib, and petiole, and their association with resistance to E. kerri. Genotypes or crosses with long trichomes on the leaves and petioles showed a high level of resistance to jassids (leafhoppers) as evidenced by a very low percentage of yellowed foliage (hopper burn). Nonadditive genetic variance was predominantly observed for all trichome characters. However, additive genetic variance was also important for the presence of long trichomes on the midrib and petioles and for jassid damage. NC Ac 2230, a jassid resistant line, is the best parent to use in a breeding program because of its stable resistance and high general combining ability for the presence of trichomes.