Fourteen randomly selected clones from cosmid libraries of Bradyrhizobium were used as hybridization probes in Southern blot analysis. Seven of the probes used were from strain USDA 83, a group II strain, and the other seven were from strain I-110, a group Ia strain. The 30 strains examined included 9 strains of Rj4-incompatible soybean bradyrhizobia. Considerable polynucleotide sequence dissimilarity between DNA homology groups was evidenced by striking differences in the number of hybridizing bands, except where the probe carried repetitive DNA. Predictable, simple restriction fragment length polymorphism differences were observed only within DNA homology groups. The previous description that 8 of 9 Rj4-incompatible strains belonged to DNA homology group II was verified. The new data, together with many previously documented differences, make it clear that the DNA homology group II organisms should be classified as a new species, for which the name Bradyrhizobium elkanii is proposed, and strain USDA 76 is designated the type strain. The ATCC number for the type strain is 49852. Key words: DNA:DNA hybridization, soybean, nodulation, bacteria, symbiosis, nitrogen fixation, host compatibility.