Abstract: To study the effect of nitrogen application on the absorption of mineral elements in Wancao 2 and Zea mexicana, the contents, amount accumulated and output of iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) in the stem, leaf and whole plant were analysed. Fe content was the highest of the four elements in Wancao 2 and Z. mexicana, and it was higher in leaves than in stems. The contents of Mn, Cu and Zn were higher or significantly higher in Wancao 2 than in Z. mexicana, but Fe content was significantly lower. Fe content was the highest in both species after 300 kg/ha nitrogen (N1) was applied once. In the treatments with N fertilizer applied separately, there was a trend for Fe content to increase with an increase in the nitrogen application rate. For Wancao 2, Mn content was highest in the N1 treatment, but Cu and Zn contents were higher in treatments with less nitrogen fertilisation. For Z. mexicana, Mn content increased with an increase in the nitrogen rate, and the contents of Cu and Zn were higher in all treatments where nitrogen was used as a base fertiliser. The accumulation amount and output of Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn were highest in the N1 treatment, and were higher in Z. mexicana than in Wancao 2. The accumulation amount and output of the four elements showed different variations in different organs of Wancao 2 and Z. mexicana. In the leaves of Wancao 2, the accumulation amount and output of Fe were higher, while those of Mn, Cu and Zn were lower compared with those in the stem. However, in Z. mexicana, the accumulation amount and output of the four elements in the leaves were significantly higher than those in the stem. Harvest time also had different effects on the absorption of the four elements in Wancao 2 and Z. mexicana. For Wancao 2, the contents of Fe, Mn and Zn were the highest in the first harvest of the grass, while Cu content was the highest in the third harvest. For Z. mexicana, the first harvested grass had the highest contents of Mn and Cu, while the third harvested grass had the highest contents of Fe and Zn. The accumulation rate of the four elements in the regrowth tissues of Wancao 2 and Z. mexicana was in the order of Fe>Mn>Zn>Cu, and all showed a declining trend. The reduction in Z. mexicana was more serious than that in Wancao 2. In conclusion, selecting Wancao 2 and using 300 kg/ha nitrogen as base fertilizer was beneficial for obtaining herbage with higher mineral contents. The yield of first harvested herbage should be paid more attention.