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• A total of 104 MADS-box genes were obtained from the genome of carrot. • 48 and 56 members belonged to Type Ⅰ and Type Ⅱ, respectively. • Yeast two-hybrid assay showed that some DcMDAS-box proteins had interactions. • The expression profiles of DcMADS-box genes had varietal and stage specificity. MADS-box is the important transcription factor involved in the process of nutritional and reproductive growth of plants. To explore the information of MADS-box transcription factors in carrots (Daucus carota L.), we conducted a genome-wide identification and characteristic analysis of MADS-box in carrot. A total of 104 MADS-box factors were identified, and 48 Type Ⅰ MADS-box factors were classified into three subfamilies, Mα, Mβ, and Mγ. Among the 56 type Ⅱ MADS-box factors, 51 MADS-box factors belonged to MIKCC and 5 factors belonged to MIKC*. Subcellular localization prediction indicated that most DcMADS-box proteins were localized in the nuclear. A total of 90 DcMADS-box genes were distributed on all 9 chromosomes, and 19 tandem duplication gene pairs and 20 segmental duplication gene pairs were identified. The DcMADS-box promoter contained a variety of cis -acting regulatory elements, such as light responsiveness elements, low-temperature responsiveness elements, and hormone responsiveness elements. The results of protein interaction prediction and yeast two-hybrid assay indicated that DcMDAS-box proteins related to flowering, such as DcMADS004 and DcMADS079 can interact with DcMADS012. In addition, we found that the expression profiles of floral organ-related genes showed varietal differences and stage specificity in the three stages (early flower bud stage, middle flower bud stage, and full bloom stage) of 'Kurodagosun' (KRD) and 'Deep purple' (DPP). These results provide a potential theoretical basis for exploring the molecular mechanisms of carrot flower organ development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]