Genome-wide microsatellite markers in castor (Ricinus communis L.): Identification, development, characterization, and transferability in Euphorbiaceae

•Genome-wide microsatellite markers were identified, characterized (37,972), and validated (304) in castor.•An occurrence of one microsatellite motif after each 6.6 kb in the genome of castor.•Microsatellites primers developed in castor are transferable in the species of Euphorbiaceae.•Developed markers will provide tremendous support for rapid genetic improvement of castor and its related species. Castor (Ricinus communis L.; 2n = 20) belongs to family Euphorbiaceae, is an industrially important non-edible oilseed crop which is widely cultivated in arid and semi-arid regions of the world. The demand for castor has kept increasing in the international market and to meet the demand, enhancement of genetic improvement in castor is very essential. Genome-wide availability of molecular markers is prerequisite for rapid genetic improvement of castor. Therefore, genome-wide microsatellite motifs from the draft genome of castor were identified (37,972) and utilized for primer designing in the present study. Among identified microsatellites, di-repeats (25,144) were most abundant followed by tri-repeats (10,636). A set of 304 primers was used for the validation of microsatellites markers in four genotypes of castor. Total 198 (65.13%) primers were amplified, among them 103 (52.02%) primers were polymorphic. Moreover, a set of 29 polymorphic microsatellites primer pairs was used for the cross-genera transferability study in five species of Euphorbiaceae viz., Jatropha multifida L., Euphorbia antiquorum L., E. milii Des Moul., E. thymifolia L., and E. neriifolia L. The maximum amplification of 68.97% was observed in E. antiquorum and minimum amplification of 31.03% was reported in J. multifida. Identified primers will facilitate to access the genetic diversity analysis, DNA fingerprinting, variety/hybrid identification, linkage map constructions, marker assisted breeding (MAB), association mapping, the discovery of quantitative trait loci (QTLs), genes among castor genotypes, and various species of Euphorbiaceae.