Inverse zero-sum problems in finite Abelian p-groups

In this paper, we study the minimal number of elements of maximal order within a zero-sumfree sequence in a finite Abelian p-group. For this purpose, in the general context of finite Abelian groups, we introduce a new number, for which lower and upper bounds are proved in the case of finite Abelian p-groups. Among other consequences, the method that we use here enables us to show that, if we denote by exp(G) the exponent of the finite Abelian p-group G which is considered, then a zero-sumfree sequence S with maximal possible length in G must contain at least exp(G)-1 elements of maximal order, which improves a previous result of W. Gao and A. Geroldinger.