Refers to the short stalks left in a field after crops like rice or wheat have been harvested.
田んぼには刈り株だけが残っていた。
Only stubble was left in the rice field.
Compound of 刈り (kari, 'cutting, mowing', the continuative form of 刈る karu 'to cut, to mow') and 株 (kabu, 'stump, stock').