Crossword Genius

Grow a reduced amount - sounds like something heard in agricultural college? (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

lessen

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'grow' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to change as well as being verbs in their base form.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'a reduced amount sounds like something heard in agricultural college?' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'reduced' could be 'less' and 'less' is found within the answer.
'amount' could be 'en' (en is a kind of amount) and 'en' is found in the answer.
No letters remain.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for lessen that I've seen before include "Decrease, diminish" , "Contract" , "Reduce in number" , "decline" , "Make smaller or fewer" .)

I've seen this clue in the Irish Times.
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