Plant–bacteria partnerships have been extensively studied and applied to improve crop yield. In addition
to their application in agriculture, a promising field to exploit plant–bacteria partnerships is the remediation
of soil and water polluted with hydrocarbons. Application of effective plant–bacteria partnerships
for the remediation of hydrocarbons depend mainly on the presence and metabolic activities of plant
associated rhizo- and endophytic bacteria possessing specific genes required for the degradation of
hydrocarbon pollutants. Plants and their associated bacteria interact with each other whereby plant supplies
the bacteria with a special carbon source that stimulates the bacteria to degrade organic contaminants
in the soil. In return, plant associated-bacteria can support their host plant to overcome
contaminated-induced stress responses, and improve plant growth and development. In addition, plants
further get benefits from their associated-bacteria possessing hydrocarbon-degradation potential, leading
to enhanced hydrocarbon mineralization and lowering of both phytotoxicity and evapotranspiration
of volatile hydrocarbons. A better understanding of plant–bacteria partnerships could be exploited to
enhance the remediation of hydrocarbon contaminated soils in conjunction with sustainable production
of non-food crops for biomass and biofuel production