The role of the intracellular distribution and binding state of aluminum (Al) in Al toxicity, using Al exchange and Al fractionation methodologies, were studied in two common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) genotypes differing in Al resistance. These two genotypes are characterized by a similar initial period (4 h) of Al sensitivity followed by a contrasting recovery period (8-24 h). A higher initial Al accumulation in Quimbaya (Al resistant) in the 5-mm root apex compared with VAX-1 (Al sensitive) could be related to its higher content of unmethylated pectin and thus higher negative charge of the cell walls (CWs). The binding state and cellular distribution of Al in the root apices revealed that the root elongation rate was significantly negatively correlated with the free apoplastic and the stable-bound, not citrate-exchangeable CW Al representing the most important Al fraction in the root apex (80%), but not with the symplastic and the labile-bound, citrate-exchangeable CW Al. It is postulated that the induced and sustained recovery from the initial Al stress in the Al-resistant genotype Quimbaya requires reducing the stable-bound Al in the apoplast thus allowing cell elongation and division to resume.