GMRT observations of four suspected supernova remnants near the Galactic Centre

We have observed two fields - Field-I (l=3.2 degrees, b=-1.0 degree) and Field-II (l=356.8 degrees, b=-0.1 degree) with the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) at 330 MHz. In the first field, we have studied the candidate supernova remnant (SNR) G3.1-0.6 and based on its observed morphology, spectral index and polarisation confirmed it to be an SNR. We find this supernova to have a double ring appearance with a strip of emission on it's western side passing through it's centre. We have discovered two extended curved objects in the second field, which appears to be part of a large shell like structure. It is possibly the remains of an old supernova in the region. Three suspected supernova remnants, G356.3-0.3, G356.6+0.1 and G357.1-0.2 detected in the MOST 843 MHz survey of the Galactic Centre region appears to be located on this shell like structure. While both G356.3-0.3 and G356.6+0.1 seem to be parts of this shell, G357.1-0.2 which has a steeper spectrum above 1 GHz, could be a background SNR seen through the region. Our HI absorption observation towards the candidate SNR G357.1-0.2 indicates that it is at a distance of more than 6 kpc from us.Comment: 13 pages, 13 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA

Impact of Humic Acid-Based Bio-stimulant ‘Humetsu’ on Growth and Yield Attributes of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Aims: The current study was carried out to examine the impact of humic-acid-based bio-stimulant (liquid formulation) ‘Humetsu’ on growth and yield attributes of potato variety Kufri Chipsona-4. Study Design: The study used a Randomized Block Design with 3 replications and 8 treatments. Place and Duration of Study: The existing experiment was worked out at Teaching Farm, College of Agriculture under BCKV, Burdwan Sadar during Rabi, 2019-20 and Rabi, 2020-21. Methodology: The test product humic-acid based bio-stimulant (liquid formulation) ‘Humetsu’ was used for seed treatment at the rate of 5 ml/kg tuber before sowing of potato and 2.5 ml /L water was sprayed treatment-wise as per protocol using a water volume of 500 liters per ha with knapsack sprayer fitted with flat fan deflector nozzle in potato. Results: The results elucidated that significantly maximum plant emergence, number of branches per plant and increased available N, P, K and Organic carbon (OC) in both years were recorded in treatment T4 (100% NPK + 3 application of ‘Humetsu’ (Seed treatment at the rate of 5 ml/kg of tuber and 2 foliar sprays at the rate 2.5ml L-1 water at 30 DAS & 55 DAS). The highest plant height, TSS (%), and fewer days to harvest were found in treatment T7 (80% NPK + 3 application of ‘Humetsu’ (Seed treatment at the rate 5ml/kg of tuber and 2 foliar sprays at the rate 2.5ml L-1 water at 30 DAS & 55 DAS) followed by treatment T4, T5, and T6. The maximum number of tubers per plant, total tuber yield, and marketable tuber yield were noticed in the treatment T7 during both years. The highest microbial population in the soil was noticed in the T7 during both the years. On the other hand, the least plant height, TSS (%), plant emergence, number of tubers per plant, total tuber yield, marketable yield per ha, more days to harvest, and the least microbial population in soil were observed in (control) treatment (T8) during both the years. Conclusion: Application of 80% NPK + 3 application of ‘Humetsu’ (Seed treatment at the rate 5ml/kg of tuber and 2 foliar sprays at the rate 2.5ml l-1 water at 30 DAS& 55 DAS) has a significant impact in yield of potato with 20% reduction of the recommended dose of NPK fertilizers

High Productivity and High Pci Operation at ‘H’ Blast Furnace, Tata Steel – The Operating Experiences with Indian Raw Materials

Scarcity of metallurgical grade coal or coke is known to all the iron making units since long. Various attempts have been made to optimize the requirement of coal by developing alternative route for iron making, alternative methods to meet the thermal requirement of the blast furnace iron making process. Most popular amongst these developments has been the development of injection of low quality coal in the blast furnaces at the tuyere level. In order to optimize cost and improve productivity,Tata Steel has been practicing injection of coal in the blast furnaces at its Jamshedpur works since 1991. Under the growth plan, ‘H’blast furnace (capacity 2.5 MT) has been commissioned on 31st May’2008. It had achieved an average monthly productivity of 2.77T/Day/m3 and maximum daily productivity of 3.17 T/m3 (working volume) with average coal injection rate 150Kg/thm under Indian raw material conditions. This paper covers the operation experiences and technical considerations employed in H Blast Furnace to achieve the above performances