Splittings of toric ideals (Q1998962)

Let \(S=K[x_1,\dots,x_n]\) be a polynomial ring with coefficients in a field \(K\). In combinatorial commutative algebra, the graded Betti numbers of a graded \(S\)-module, are probably the most important algebraic invariants. To compute or bound the Betti numbers of a monomial ideal \(I\subseteq S\), one can consider a splitting, that is a decomposition \(I=I_1+I_2\), where \(I_1,I_2\) are monomial ideals. This approach was used successfully by \textit{C. A. Francisco} et al. [Proc. Am. Math. Soc. 137, No. 10, 3271--3282 (2009; Zbl 1180.13018)]. Inspired by this work, the authors of the paper consider splittings of toric ideals. A toric ideal \(I\) is a binomial prime ideal of \(S\). \(I\) is in fact a binomial edge ideal of a suitable finite simple graph \(G\) on the vertex set \([n]=\{1,\dots,n\}\). Under suitable hypothesis they show that in many good cases the graded Betti numbers of the toric ideal \(I\) can be computed by knowing the graded Betti numbers of suitable induced subgraphs of \(G\). Finally, they discuss some future directions of research related to this topic.