DNA determinations during growth of soil microbial biomasses

► Soil microbial growth related indices such as the increase of CO2 evolution and DNA yield are not congruent in their kinetics. ► DNA increases will continuously proceed over a prolonged period of time as compared to CO2 increases after glucose amendment. ► Specific growth rates (μ) based on DNA conversion are several fold lower in comparison to values obtained by CO2 conversion. ► Microbial biomass increases based on DNA conversion are satisfactorily reflected either by the CFI or CFE-method.