The patterns of response to selection in two barley populations ( Hordeum vulgare L.) for yield and its components were interpreted by Rasmusson and Cannell as indicative of genetic linkage. We propose an alternative explanation based on an oscillatory response of components due to the sequential nature of components development and a limitation of environmental resources. Use is made of a recurslon equation which under specified conditions leads to the expectation of oscillatory behavior of components. The data of Rasmusson and Cannell conform to the oscillatory hypothesis.
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Adams et al. (1971) studied this question.