Pleurotus ostreatus and P. sajor-caju, were investigated for their ability to produce various lignolytic and cellulolytic enzymes such as laccase, lignin peroxidase, xylanase, endo-1,4-beta-D-glucanase (CMCase) and exo-1,4-beta-D-glucanase (FP activity) on Banana agricultural waste (leaf biomass and pseudostems) at solid substrate fermentation. The production patterns of these extracellular enzymes were studied during the growth of the organisms for a period of 40 days. Both organisms exhibited similar levels of enzyme activities and pattern of production. Leaf biomass was found to be a more suitable substrate compared to pseudostems for enzyme production. Very low levels of cellulolytic enzyme activities were detected compared to lignin degrading enzymes by both the organisms. Maximum specific activities of enzymes were obtained between 10 and 20 days of culture growth. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.