The preferable N source for tropical grasses and its effects on the nutritional status are still matters of priority investigation. This study aimed to explore the effects of N sources and N deprivation on growth and uptake of elements in a newly-released ruzigrass cultivar, BRS Integra. Plants were grown under controlled conditions in vermiculite and were supplied with nutrient solution containing either NH4 +, NH4 ++NO3 -, NO3 - or no N added in solution making. Plant biomass, chlorophyll content, transpiration, N status, and levels of selected elements were evaluated. NH4 + improved biomass production and aboveground N contents. Other elements exhibited high (N, K and Na), medium (Mn), low (Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mg, Ni and Zn) or non-detected (Al and Fe) translocation. Cd was included in the study because of its hazardous concentrations in agricultural soils in Brazil and its influence on N uptake and translocation in the genus Urochloa. All N sources increased the uptake of whole plant Cu and K and Al, and root Fe and Mg. Other favorable relations prevailed in the roots, specifically of NO3 - on Ca and Ni, NH4 + and NH4 ++NO3 - on Cr, and NH4 + on Cd. Removal of N supply caused increases on Mn and Na aboveground and Zn in roots. Overall, the more evident N source-induced uptakes were, in order of decrease, of NO3 - on Ca, NH4 ++NO3 - on Ni, and NH4 + on Cr, Cu and Mn. It is concluded that NH4 + is more efficient for fertilizing ruzigrass by improving growth and N uptake compared to NH4 ++NO3 - or NO3 -. In addition, the diverse effects of varying N sources on the uptake of 12 elements indicate such interactions should be taken into account to further improve fertilizer formulations.