The best replacement for linkage is association.

The best alternatives to linkage are rated as following:
★★★★★  association
★★★★  linkage disequilibrium
★★★  link
★★★  pds
★★  independent assortment
★★  gwas
★★  association studies
★  physical map
★  beta linkage
★  ether linkage
  ester linkage
  ester
  peptide bond

Your alternative for linkage is not listed? Suggest!
Speaking about linkage, one probably shouldn't forget about association.

Other search terms related to linkage and their ratings are:
★★★★★ association
You have in mind a companion for linkage and it is not yet here? Propose!



Google Trends

Scale is based on the average worldwide traffic of linkage in all years. Click on graph for more.
linkage
association
linkage disequilibrium