BACKGROUND: The growth stages largely determine the crop yield, while little is known about their genetic mechanisms in castor. In this study, the QTL mapping and candidate gene mining of growth stages were conducted using populations F RESULTS: A total of 20 QTLs conferring four traits (ED, PSBD, PSFD and PBSMD) were identified in the F CONCLUSION: In this study, numerous QTLs conferring growth stages were detected and four candidate genes were mined, which need to be functionally validated. The results provided a new insight into the genetic structure of ED, PSBD, PSFD, PSMD and PBSMD, offered the candidate genes and molecular markers for their improvement as well in castor.