Rational curves on general projective hypersurfaces

Abstract

Let $k$ be an integer such that $1\leq k\leq n-5$, and $X_{2n-2-k}\subset \mathbf P^n$ a general projective hypersurface of degree $d=2n-2-k$. In this paper we prove that the only $k$-dimensional subvariety $Y$ of $X_{2n-2-k}$ having geometric genus zero is the one covered by the lines. As an immediate corollary we obtain that, for $n>5$, the general $X_{2n-3}\subset \mathbf P^n$, contains no rational curves of degree $\delta >1$.