Nereida Malo

Dr. Nereida Malo

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

1Year (2026-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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1 July 2026 in Journal of Ecological Engineering
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
Erdona DemirajErdona Demiraj
Erdona Demiraj
NMNereida Malo
Nereida Malo
IDIrena Duka
Irena Duka
LTLura Telhaj
Lura Telhaj
SVSonila Vito
Sonila Vito
FBFerdi Brahushi
Ferdi Brahushi

17 September 2026 in Sci
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
EPElia Pagliarini
Elia Pagliarini
NMNereida Malo
Nereida Malo
Diana Di GioiaDiana Di Gioia
Diana Di Gioia
Francesca GaggiaFrancesca Gaggia
Francesca Gaggia
This study evaluated the microbial strain Bacillus VWC18, isolated from waste vegetable compost, as a plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium (PGPR) for two high-value ornamental crops: poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) and cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum). Identified as Bacillus haynesii, the strain VWC18 showed robust phosphate, potassium, and zinc solubilization, siderophore production, and indole-3-acetic acid synthesis, with γ-hemolytic biosafety confirmation. Greenhouse trials evaluated its biostimulant activity by comparing control plants (three cultivars of each species) under standard commercial protocols with those receiving B. haynesii VWC18 via sub-irrigation. Treated poinsettias exhibited 90% greater fresh foliar weight in white cultivars and over 50% increased root biomass, while red varieties produced twice as many pigmented bracts. Cyclamen nearly doubled fresh leaf and root weight. Photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-b, and carotenoids) approximately doubled in both species. Anthocyanin content increased significantly in red and orange poinsettia bracts and red/violet cyclamen flowers. Quantitative PCR, targeting soil eubacteria, confirmed an increase of rhizosphere communities, with bacterial populations rising from ~5 × 105 to 1–2.6 × 107 CFU g−1 soil. B. haynesii VWC18 enhances vegetative growth and aesthetic quality through phytohormone production, nutrient mobilization and rhizosphere modulation, offering a strategy for sustainable input solutions in greenhouse floriculture while maintaining marketable quality.