Phosphorus application affects lowland rice yields by changing phenological development and cold stress degrees in the central highlands of Madagascar

•P-deficiency delayed heading of rice by 6–24 days in Madagascar highlands.•Delayed heading in P deficiency had a positive effect on yield under no cold stress.•Phenological delay increased risk of cold stress at reproductive to ripening stages.•P effect was greater when avoiding cold stress by shortening days to heading.•P deficiency management should take into account the effect of P on rice phenology.