Which of the following is a sign of calcium deficiency in plants?

• A. Blossom End Rot in Tomatoes
• B. Wilting From Drought
• C. Yellowing of Entire Plant
• D. Leaf Curl

Answer: (A)

Calcium deficiency shows up most clearly in growing fruit tissues, because calcium moves with water inside the plant and is needed for strong cell walls. In tomatoes, the classic sign is Blossom End Rot: a dark, sunken patch at the blossom end of the fruit that develops as the fruit enlarges. This happens when developing fruit doesn’t receive enough calcium, often due to uneven watering or limited calcium availability in the soil, so the tissue at the far end of the fruit breaks down.

Other options reflect different issues. Wilting from drought signals water stress, not a calcium-specific problem. Yellowing of the entire plant usually points to a broad nutrient deficiency or another issue, and leaf curl can be caused by environmental stress, pests, or other factors rather than calcium deficiency alone.