Foliar micronutrient concentrations of eight perennial ryegrass (<italic>Lolium perenne</italic> L.) cultivars grown in four regions in New Zealand.

Concentrations of boron, cobalt, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, selenium and zinc were measured in eight perennial ryegrass cultivars grown at four sites in New Zealand (Waikato, Manawatu, Canterbury and Southland). Herbage samples were collected from pure ryegrass plots, grown with two nitrogen fertiliser rates, with three sites sampled in autumn (April/May 2013) and all four sites in spring (October/November 2013). There were significant differences among the cultivars for most of the elements, but consistent patterns were not obvious due to interactions involving site, season and nitrogen fertiliser treatment. It is concluded that breeding ryegrass for variation in micronutrient concentrations is unlikely to be productive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]