Crossword Genius

Requires new seed to be cultivated (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

needs

'requires' is the definition.
('need' can be a synonym of 'require')

'new seed to be cultivated' is the wordplay.
'new' becomes 'n' (common abbreviation eg NT for New Testament).
'to be cultivated' indicates anagramming the letters.
'seed' with letters rearranged gives 'eeds'.
'n'+'eeds'='NEEDS'

(Other definitions for needs that I've seen before include "'..... must when the devil drives'" , "Wants, requires" , "What we require" , "shopping-list, say" , "Necessities" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror and The Daily Express.
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