Relative Noether inequality on fibered surfaces (Q2450099)

Let \(X\) be a surface over an algebraically closed field of characteristic \(\geq 0\), let \(f: X\to C\) be a fibration, i.e., a flat morphism with connected fibers onto a smooth curve \(C\), and let \(L\) is a nef line bundle on \(X\). Denote by \(g\) the genus of a general \(F\) fiber of \(f\) and by \(d\) the degree of \(L|_F\). The main result of the paper is an explicit bound for \(h^0(L)\) in terms of \(d\) and \(L^2\) under the assumption that \(g\leq 2\) and \(2\leq d\leq 2g-2\), i.e., that \(L|_F\) satisfies the assumptions of Clifford's theorem. Two very interesting applications of this result are presented. By using it the authors are able to extend to positive characteristic the following well known results in characteristic \(0\): -- the slope inequality for fibered surfaces (cf. [\textit{G. Xiao}, Math. Ann. 276, 449--466 (1987; Zbl 0596.14028)] and [\textit{M. Cornalba} and \textit{J. Harris}, Ann. Sci. Éc. Norm. Supér. (4) 21, No. 3, 455--475 (1988; Zbl 0674.14006)]) -- the Severi inequality for surfaces of maximal Albanese dimension (cf. [\textit{R. Pardini}, Invent. Math. 159, No. 3, 669--672 (2005; Zbl 1082.14041)]).