Stalks are not only the main by-products of crops, but also abundant biomass resources in the world. Stalk cutting is a direct interaction process between rigid body (machinery parts) and flexible body (stalks), which plays a pivotal role in the treatment of stalks. The cutting performance of machinery, the biological characteristics of the stalks, and the coupling between them all affect the cutting process. Stalk cutting is closely related to the efficient and low damage harvest of crops and the comprehensive utilization of stalk resources. The research on the cutting interaction process between cutting blades and stalks is an important aspect of the deep integration of agronomy and agricultural machinery, which has practical significance for agricultural production and ecological development. To this end, a comprehensive review and analysis of research progress at home and abroad around the related issues of stalk cutting was made, specifically as follows: focusing on mechanical parameters and constitutive model of stalks, the relationship between biological characteristics and mechanical parameters, testing methods and equipments, establishment and application of constitutive model of stalks were described; combined with the structural parameters and types, wear resistance and self-sharpening performance, the structural types and material properties of the cutting blades were introduced; according to the cutting interaction process between cutting blades and stalks, the cutting principle and the cutting technical objectives of high efficiency, low power consumption and low damage were systematically introduced; from the specific parameters and target values of experimental research to the different types of simulation research, the application of the two research methods in stalk cutting was summarized. On this basis, combined with the existing problems, the future development directions of stalk cutting field were discussed. It contributed to comprehensively understanding the phenomenon of stalk cutting and providing a reference for the in-depth research of stalk cutting in agricultural production. 