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The present study aimed to assess the effects of a Cd-resistant bacterial consortium (ECO-M) on growth performances and heavy metal accumulation in Zea mays L. var DKC8205 grown on heavy metal contaminated soil. ECO-M inoculation has significantly increased the numbers of leaves, leaf area, height and biomass of Z. mays plants over the control in both ground (GWIS) and wastewater irrigated soil (WWIS)(P< 0.05). The per cent increase in tested growth parameters of Z. mays plants due to ECO-M inoculation varied from 5% to 59% in the contaminated soils. The accumulation of heavy metals in roots, stems and leaves decreased significantly in ECO-M inoculated plants as compared to the non-inoculated plants (P< 0.05). The maximum per cent reduction in Cu and Cd concentrations were found 43% in leaf, 54% in roots, 89% in stem, respectively in GWIS. Cr, Zn and Ni concentrations in leaf were decreased by 43%, 18% and 23%, respectively in WWIS. The per cent reductions of heavy metals in tested plants were higher in GWIS as compared to WWIS. From the results of present study, it can be concluded that the application of bacterial consortium ECO-M could be helpful in improving the growth of crops and prevent entry of heavy metals in food chain resulting from long-term use of contaminated irrigation water.