What is girdling of a plant primarily associated with?

Girdling of a plant is primarily associated with damage to the plant's food supply pipeline because it involves the removal or damaging of a ring of bark from around the trunk or branches. This act disrupts the phloem, which is responsible for transporting nutrients and the products of photosynthesis from the leaves to the rest of the plant, including the roots. When this circulation is interrupted, it can lead to severe stress for the plant, as it can no longer effectively distribute the sugars and organic compounds necessary for growth and development. This can ultimately result in the decline of the plant's health and even death if the girdling is severe and extensive.

The other aspects, such as enhancing leaf growth, root expansion, or increased flowering, do not directly relate to girdling, as their processes continue to function separately and are unaffected by the disruption caused by girdling.