Wheat lines selected from Tir wheat population (Triticum aestivum) were screened for their resistance to yellow rust (Puccinia striiformis f.sp. tritici) race population including Yr2, Yr6, Yr7 and Yr9 virulence genes in Turkey during 1998 and 2000. Results indicated that 35 (47.9%) of 73 lines were susceptible to P. striiformis f.sp. tritici, 38 lines (52.1%) were resistant and moderately resistant in both years. According to results from this study, attention should be given to avoid use of susceptible lines in wheat breeding efforts because there were variable responses to yellow rust among Tir wheat lines. It was also found that Tir wheat population had promising lines that could serve as an important source of resistance to wheat yellow rust caused by P. striiformis f.sp. tritici. Particularly the lines 3, 7, 11, 12, 20, 24, 36, 55, and 67 were found as promising for wheat breeding studies carried out against yellow rust disease. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.