For the general ruled cubic surface S (with a double line) in P3 = P3 sub k, k any algebraically closed field, we find necessary conditions for which curves on S can be the specialization of a flat family of curves on smooth cubics. In particular, no smooth curve of degree > 10 on S is such a specialization.
@article{urn:eudml:doc:43106,
title = {Curves on a ruled cubic surface.},
journal = {Collectanea Mathematica},
volume = {54},
year = {2003},
pages = {269-281},
zbl = {1051.14037},
mrnumber = {MR2010789},
language = {en},
url = {http://dml.mathdoc.fr/item/urn:eudml:doc:43106}
}
Brevik, John; Mordasini, Francesco. Curves on a ruled cubic surface.. Collectanea Mathematica, Tome 54 (2003) pp. 269-281. http://gdmltest.u-ga.fr/item/urn:eudml:doc:43106/