The growth rate of one prune variety (Prune d'Ente) and one plum variety (Reine Claude) was influenced by grafting onto 4 different rootstocks (Marianna GF 8–1, IshtaraR, St Julien GF 655.2 and Pixy 2879). The grafts were cultivated in the orchard. Significant growth differences were already visible during the first and second growth year. Leaf photosynthetic capacities (photosynthesis at 330 ppm of CO2, internal conductance to CO2 and maximum photosynthesis) were measured under controlled conditions at sunrise. Leaf nitrogen, chlorophyll, soluble sugar and starch concentrations were measured along the growth season and especially concurrently with photosynthetic analysis. Leaf photosynthetic capacities were hardly affected by the modification of assimilate demand concurrent to the reduction of the variety growth. Leaf sugar concentration did not always appear to be correlated with the vigor induced by the rootstock. However for 2 sampling dates out of 4 both the variety nitrogen and chlorophyll levels were significantly higher with the Marianna rootstock than with the dwarfing Pixy rootstock. In short, the variety reduction of vigor induced by the rootstock did not seem to directly affect leaf photosynthesis although an effect on the diurnal or seasonal regulation of photosynthesis was not explored here.