S U M M A R YThree biologically distinct strains of bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMVs, BYMVl and PV-2) were partially purified by centrifugation at relatively low g forces. Serologically these strains appeared to be distinct from each other but were related.Our recent isolation of the severe strain of bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMVs) from naturally infected sweet violet (Viola odorata L.) (Prowidenti & Granett, 1974) prompted us to compare serologically this isolate with two other known strains of the virus. Difficulties, however, were encountered in the purification of BYMVS with the method outlined by Damirdagh & Shepherd (1970) and successfully used for an authentic strain of BYMV by Uyemoto, Prowidenti & Schroeder (1972).This paper describes a reliable procedure for the partial purification of BYMVs, BYMVl (pea isolate I ; Hagedorn & Walker, 1950) and PV-2 (pea virus 2; Schroeder & Provvidenti, 1966) and reports their serological comparison in agar gel double diffusion tests.BYMVs and BYMVI were propagated in bean (Phaseolus vukaris L. cv. Red Kidney) and in pea (Pisum sativum L. cv. Ranger) while PV-2 was increased only in pea. Infected bean leaves were harvested 30-40 days after inoculation and pea leaves after 11-21 days. The three strains of BYMV were purified using a modification of the method recently proposed by Huttinga (1973).Each gram of chilled leaves was homogenized in a blender in a cold solution containing 7-5 ml of 0-1 M tris (hydroxy-methyl) aminomethane buffer, z ml of carbon tetrachloride and 2 ml of chloroform. The pH of the extractant was adjusted with thioglycollic acid to 6.5 for BYMVs and 8-5 for BYMVl and PV-2. The homogenate was centrifuged for 10 min at 6000 g (Sorvall RCzB, SS34 rotor, 7000 rev./min) to pellet most plant debris, after which the supernatant fluid was filtered through glass wool. The solution was then centrifuged at 20000g (Spinco Model L, 30 rotor, 15000 rev./min) for I h. The pelleted virus was resuspended in 0 -1 M tris buffer adjusted with HC1 to the same pH as the original extractant. Preparations were further clarified by centrifugation at 3000 g (SS34 rotor, 5000 rev./min) for 5 min. Higher centrifugal forces during either initial clarification or pelleting increased particle aggregation and breakage and reduced virus yield.