Provided is a novel heterocycle-containing amino acid compound that has a metal uptake ability equivalent to mugineic acids and can be less expensively produced than mugineic acids. Also provided are a fertilizer and a plant growth regulating agent each comprising the novel heterocycle-containing amino acid compound. The present invention is a heterocycle-containing amino acid compound represented by general formula (1):;;(wherein: R1, R2 and R3 are the same or different and represent a hydrogen atom or a carboxyl-protecting group; R4 represents a hydrogen atom or a hydroxy-protecting group; R5 represents a hydrogen atom or an amino-protecting group; and n is an integer of 1-3) or a salt thereof and use of the same.
