Genome-wide characterization and expression analysis of GRAS genes in carmine radish (Raphanus sativus L.)

•Total of 48 GRAS gene family members divided into 10 clusters have been screened from carmine radish.•Potentially different functions for RsGRAS genes in different tissues and in response to heavy metal tolerance were conducted via transcriptome data.•The expression levels of 10 RsGRAS genes from four subfamilies (PAT1, DELLA, SCR, LISCL) were high (FPKM > 5) in all of the tested tissues.•RsSCL33a-1, RsSCL26, RsRGL3, RsSCL13–2, RsSCL1–2, RsSCL32–2, RsSCL28–1 and RsSHR-2 were significantly changed in both radish cultivars responsive to heavy metal (Cd) stress.•RsSCL32–2, RsSCL28–1 and RsSCL13–2 is significantly changed in responsive to various heavy metal stress in the resistant material ‘XCB’ than the sensitive material ‘HX’.