Hydrocarbon degradation, plant colonization and gene expression of alkane degradation genes by endophytic Enterobacter ludwigii strains

► E. ludwigii strains efficiently colonized plants in a non-sterile soil environment. ► E. ludwigii strains efficiently expressed alkane degradation genes in plants. ► E. ludwigii efficiently degraded alkane contaminations and promoted plant growth. ► E. ludwigii interacted more effectively with Italian ryegrass than with other plants. ► Degradation activity varied with plant and microbial genotype as well as with time.