**2.5 Statistical analysis**

The data were subjected to statistical analysis using 7.1 Statistica software. Significant differences between different treatments (non-inoculated, Control, (C); inoculated with *P. corethrurus* earthworms (IE); inoculated with *Bradyrhizobium* ORS (IB); co-inoculated with *Bradyrhizobium* ORS and *P. corethrurus* earthworms (Ci EB) in terms of height, biomass production, nodule numbers, and heavy metal contents in plant biomass, shoot tissue, root tissue, and different compartment RS and DS were performed using the Student–Newman–Keuls (SNK) test at 0.05 probability level.
