On the genus of projective curves not contained in hypersurfaces of given degree

Fix integers r >= 4 and i >= 2 (for r = 4 assume i >= 3). Assume that the rational number s defined by the equation ((i + 1)(2))s + (i + 1) = ((r + i) )(i)is( ) an integer. Fix an integer d >= s. Divide d - 1 = ms + epsilon, 0 <= epsilon <= s - 1, and set G(r;d, i) := ((m)(2))s + m epsilon. As a number, 2 G(r; d, i) is nothing but the Castelnuovo's bound G(s + 1;d) for a curve of degree d in Ps+1. In the present paper we prove that G(r; d, i) is also an upper bound for the genus of a reduced and irreducible complex projective curve in P-r, of degree d >> max{ r,i}, not contained in hypersurfaces of degree <= i. We prove that the bound G(r; d, i) is sharp if and only if there exists an integral surface S subset of P-r of degree s, not contained in hypersurfaces of degree <= i. Such a surface, if existing, is necessarily the isomorphic projection of a rational normal scroll surface of degree s in Ps+1 The existence of such a surface S is known for r >= 5, and 2 <= i <= 3. It follows that, when r >= 5, and i = 2 or i = 3, the bound G(r; d, i) is sharp, and the extremal curves are isomorphic projection in P-r of Castelnuovo's curves of degree d in Ps+1. We do not know whether the bound G(r; d, i) is sharp for i > 3.