PCR and nucleotide sequence analyses have revealed that Soil-borne rye mosaic furovirus (SBRMV) which we have recently described is widely distributed in Europe. In Northern Germany, Poland and Denmark the virus affects mainly rye and triticale, but in France and Italy it is wheat which becomes infected. The partial RNA 1 and RNA 2 sequences which were determined for the various SBRMV sources form several clusters, but so far no correlation between molecular differences and the type of host which becomes infected under natural conditions was detected. European wheat mosaic furovirus which was recently described by Diao et al. (1999) [Virology 261: 331-339] is closely related to a French source of SBRMV.