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: R 1 , R 2 and R 3 are the same or different and represent a hydrogen atom or a carboxyl-protecting group R 4 represents a hydrogen atom or a hydroxy-protecting group R 5 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.
