diff --git a/src/main/distrib/data/defaults.properties b/src/main/distrib/data/defaults.properties
index 0c7d6cd..208fd99 100644
--- a/src/main/distrib/data/defaults.properties
+++ b/src/main/distrib/data/defaults.properties
@@ -567,6 +567,21 @@
 # SINCE 1.4.0
 tickets.requireApproval = false
 
+# Default setting to control how patchsets are merged to the integration branch.
+# Valid values: 
+# MERGE_ALWAYS       - Always merge with a merge commit. Every ticket will show up as a branch,
+#                       even if it could have been fast-forward merged. This is the default.
+# MERGE_IF_NECESSARY - If possible, fast-forward the integration branch,
+#                       if not, merge with a merge commit.
+# FAST_FORWARD_ONLY  - Only merge when a fast-forward is possible. This produces a strictly
+#                       linear history of the integration branch.
+#
+# This setting can be overriden per-repository.
+#
+# RESTART REQUIRED
+# SINCE 1.9.0
+tickets.mergeType = MERGE_ALWAYS
+
 # The case-insensitive regular expression used to identify and close tickets on
 # push to the integration branch for commits that are NOT already referenced as
 # a patchset tip.
diff --git a/src/main/java/com/gitblit/Constants.java b/src/main/java/com/gitblit/Constants.java
index 6232552..321f84f 100644
--- a/src/main/java/com/gitblit/Constants.java
+++ b/src/main/java/com/gitblit/Constants.java
@@ -639,6 +639,37 @@
 		}
 	}
 
+	/**
+	 * The type of merge Gitblit will use when merging a ticket to the integration branch.
+	 * <p>
+	 * The default type is MERGE_ALWAYS.
+	 * <p>
+	 * This is modeled after the Gerrit SubmitType.
+	 */
+	public static enum MergeType {
+		/** Allows a merge only if it can be fast-forward merged into the integration branch. */
+		FAST_FORWARD_ONLY,
+		/** Uses a fast-forward merge if possible, other wise a merge commit is created. */
+		MERGE_IF_NECESSARY,
+		// Future REBASE_IF_NECESSARY,
+		/** Always merge with a merge commit, even when a fast-forward would be possible. */
+		MERGE_ALWAYS,
+		// Future? CHERRY_PICK
+		;
+
+		public static final MergeType DEFAULT_MERGE_TYPE = MERGE_ALWAYS;
+
+		public static MergeType fromName(String name) {
+			for (MergeType type : values()) {
+				if (type.name().equalsIgnoreCase(name)) {
+					return type;
+				}
+			}
+			return DEFAULT_MERGE_TYPE;
+		}
+	}
+
+
 	@Documented
 	@Retention(RetentionPolicy.RUNTIME)
 	public @interface Unused {
diff --git a/src/main/java/com/gitblit/git/PatchsetReceivePack.java b/src/main/java/com/gitblit/git/PatchsetReceivePack.java
index 33fa470..4a09139 100644
--- a/src/main/java/com/gitblit/git/PatchsetReceivePack.java
+++ b/src/main/java/com/gitblit/git/PatchsetReceivePack.java
@@ -599,7 +599,7 @@
 		}
 
 		// ensure that the patchset can be cleanly merged right now
-		MergeStatus status = JGitUtils.canMerge(getRepository(), tipCommit.getName(), forBranch);
+		MergeStatus status = JGitUtils.canMerge(getRepository(), tipCommit.getName(), forBranch, repository.mergeType);
 		switch (status) {
 		case ALREADY_MERGED:
 			sendError("");
@@ -1279,6 +1279,7 @@
 				getRepository(),
 				patchset.tip,
 				ticket.mergeTo,
+				getRepositoryModel().mergeType,
 				committer,
 				message);
 
diff --git a/src/main/java/com/gitblit/manager/RepositoryManager.java b/src/main/java/com/gitblit/manager/RepositoryManager.java
index ed26c77..2be6587 100644
--- a/src/main/java/com/gitblit/manager/RepositoryManager.java
+++ b/src/main/java/com/gitblit/manager/RepositoryManager.java
@@ -63,6 +63,7 @@
 import com.gitblit.Constants.AuthorizationControl;
 import com.gitblit.Constants.CommitMessageRenderer;
 import com.gitblit.Constants.FederationStrategy;
+import com.gitblit.Constants.MergeType;
 import com.gitblit.Constants.PermissionType;
 import com.gitblit.Constants.RegistrantType;
 import com.gitblit.GitBlitException;
@@ -899,6 +900,7 @@
 			model.acceptNewTickets = getConfig(config, "acceptNewTickets", true);
 			model.requireApproval = getConfig(config, "requireApproval", settings.getBoolean(Keys.tickets.requireApproval, false));
 			model.mergeTo = getConfig(config, "mergeTo", null);
+			model.mergeType = MergeType.fromName(getConfig(config, "mergeType", settings.getString(Keys.tickets.mergeType, null)));
 			model.useIncrementalPushTags = getConfig(config, "useIncrementalPushTags", false);
 			model.incrementalPushTagPrefix = getConfig(config, "incrementalPushTagPrefix", null);
 			model.allowForks = getConfig(config, "allowForks", true);
@@ -1557,6 +1559,13 @@
 		if (!StringUtils.isEmpty(repository.mergeTo)) {
 			config.setString(Constants.CONFIG_GITBLIT, null, "mergeTo", repository.mergeTo);
 		}
+		if (repository.mergeType == null || repository.mergeType == MergeType.fromName(settings.getString(Keys.tickets.mergeType, null))) {
+			// use default
+			config.unset(Constants.CONFIG_GITBLIT, null, "mergeType");
+		} else {
+			// override default
+			config.setString(Constants.CONFIG_GITBLIT, null, "mergeType", repository.mergeType.name());
+		}
 		config.setBoolean(Constants.CONFIG_GITBLIT, null, "useIncrementalPushTags", repository.useIncrementalPushTags);
 		if (StringUtils.isEmpty(repository.incrementalPushTagPrefix) ||
 				repository.incrementalPushTagPrefix.equals(settings.getString(Keys.git.defaultIncrementalPushTagPrefix, "r"))) {
diff --git a/src/main/java/com/gitblit/models/RepositoryModel.java b/src/main/java/com/gitblit/models/RepositoryModel.java
index a81c622..67ee1c7 100644
--- a/src/main/java/com/gitblit/models/RepositoryModel.java
+++ b/src/main/java/com/gitblit/models/RepositoryModel.java
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@
 import com.gitblit.Constants.AuthorizationControl;
 import com.gitblit.Constants.CommitMessageRenderer;
 import com.gitblit.Constants.FederationStrategy;
+import com.gitblit.Constants.MergeType;
 import com.gitblit.utils.ArrayUtils;
 import com.gitblit.utils.ModelUtils;
 import com.gitblit.utils.StringUtils;
@@ -89,6 +90,7 @@
 	public boolean acceptNewTickets;
 	public boolean requireApproval;
 	public String mergeTo;
+	public MergeType mergeType;
 
 	public transient boolean isCollectingGarbage;
 	public Date lastGC;
@@ -111,6 +113,7 @@
 		this.isBare = true;
 		this.acceptNewTickets = true;
 		this.acceptNewPatchsets = true;
+		this.mergeType = MergeType.DEFAULT_MERGE_TYPE;
 
 		addOwner(owner);
 	}
diff --git a/src/main/java/com/gitblit/utils/JGitUtils.java b/src/main/java/com/gitblit/utils/JGitUtils.java
index a02fc3f..0eea1d6 100644
--- a/src/main/java/com/gitblit/utils/JGitUtils.java
+++ b/src/main/java/com/gitblit/utils/JGitUtils.java
@@ -99,6 +99,7 @@
 import org.slf4j.Logger;
 import org.slf4j.LoggerFactory;
 
+import com.gitblit.Constants.MergeType;
 import com.gitblit.GitBlitException;
 import com.gitblit.IStoredSettings;
 import com.gitblit.Keys;
@@ -2453,44 +2454,13 @@
 	 * @param repository
 	 * @param src
 	 * @param toBranch
+	 * @param mergeType
+	 *            Defines the integration strategy to use for merging.
 	 * @return true if we can merge without conflict
 	 */
-	public static MergeStatus canMerge(Repository repository, String src, String toBranch) {
-		RevWalk revWalk = null;
-		try {
-			revWalk = new RevWalk(repository);
-			ObjectId branchId = repository.resolve(toBranch);
-			if (branchId == null) {
-				return MergeStatus.MISSING_INTEGRATION_BRANCH;
-			}
-			ObjectId srcId = repository.resolve(src);
-			if (srcId == null) {
-				return MergeStatus.MISSING_SRC_BRANCH;
-			}
-			RevCommit branchTip = revWalk.lookupCommit(branchId);
-			RevCommit srcTip = revWalk.lookupCommit(srcId);
-			if (revWalk.isMergedInto(srcTip, branchTip)) {
-				// already merged
-				return MergeStatus.ALREADY_MERGED;
-			} else if (revWalk.isMergedInto(branchTip, srcTip)) {
-				// fast-forward
-				return MergeStatus.MERGEABLE;
-			}
-			RecursiveMerger merger = (RecursiveMerger) MergeStrategy.RECURSIVE.newMerger(repository, true);
-			boolean canMerge = merger.merge(branchTip, srcTip);
-			if (canMerge) {
-				return MergeStatus.MERGEABLE;
-			}
-		} catch (NullPointerException e) {
-			LOGGER.error("Failed to determine canMerge", e);
-		} catch (IOException e) {
-			LOGGER.error("Failed to determine canMerge", e);
-		} finally {
-			if (revWalk != null) {
-				revWalk.close();
-			}
-		}
-		return MergeStatus.NOT_MERGEABLE;
+	public static MergeStatus canMerge(Repository repository, String src, String toBranch, MergeType mergeType) {
+		IntegrationStrategy strategy = IntegrationStrategyFactory.create(mergeType, repository, src, toBranch);
+		return strategy.canMerge();
 	}
 
 
@@ -2511,11 +2481,13 @@
 	 * @param repository
 	 * @param src
 	 * @param toBranch
+	 * @param mergeType
+	 *            Defines the integration strategy to use for merging.
 	 * @param committer
 	 * @param message
 	 * @return the merge result
 	 */
-	public static MergeResult merge(Repository repository, String src, String toBranch,
+	public static MergeResult merge(Repository repository, String src, String toBranch, MergeType mergeType,
 			PersonIdent committer, String message) {
 
 		if (!toBranch.startsWith(Constants.R_REFS)) {
@@ -2523,15 +2495,202 @@
 			toBranch = Constants.R_HEADS + toBranch;
 		}
 
-		RevWalk revWalk = null;
+		IntegrationStrategy strategy = IntegrationStrategyFactory.create(mergeType, repository, src, toBranch);
+		MergeResult mergeResult = strategy.merge(committer, message);
+
+		if (mergeResult.status != MergeStatus.MERGED) {
+			return mergeResult;
+		}
+
 		try {
-			revWalk = new RevWalk(repository);
-			RevCommit branchTip = revWalk.lookupCommit(repository.resolve(toBranch));
-			RevCommit srcTip = revWalk.lookupCommit(repository.resolve(src));
-			if (revWalk.isMergedInto(srcTip, branchTip)) {
-				// already merged
-				return new MergeResult(MergeStatus.ALREADY_MERGED, null);
+			// Update the integration branch ref
+			RefUpdate mergeRefUpdate = repository.updateRef(toBranch);
+			mergeRefUpdate.setNewObjectId(strategy.getMergeCommit());
+			mergeRefUpdate.setRefLogMessage(strategy.getRefLogMessage(), false);
+			mergeRefUpdate.setExpectedOldObjectId(strategy.branchTip);
+			RefUpdate.Result rc = mergeRefUpdate.update();
+			switch (rc) {
+			case FAST_FORWARD:
+				// successful, clean merge
+				break;
+			default:
+				mergeResult = new MergeResult(MergeStatus.FAILED, null);
+				throw new GitBlitException(MessageFormat.format("Unexpected result \"{0}\" when {1} in {2}",
+						rc.name(), strategy.getOperationMessage(), repository.getDirectory()));
 			}
+		} catch (IOException e) {
+			LOGGER.error("Failed to merge", e);
+		}
+
+		return mergeResult;
+	}
+
+
+	private static abstract class IntegrationStrategy {
+		Repository repository;
+		String src;
+		String toBranch;
+
+		RevWalk revWalk;
+		RevCommit branchTip;
+		RevCommit srcTip;
+
+		RevCommit mergeCommit;
+		String refLogMessage;
+		String operationMessage;
+
+		RevCommit getMergeCommit() {
+			return mergeCommit;
+		}
+
+		String getRefLogMessage() {
+			return refLogMessage;
+		}
+
+		String getOperationMessage() {
+			return operationMessage;
+		}
+
+		IntegrationStrategy(Repository repository, String src, String toBranch) {
+			this.repository = repository;
+			this.src = src;
+			this.toBranch = toBranch;
+		}
+
+		void prepare() throws IOException {
+			if (revWalk == null) revWalk = new RevWalk(repository);
+			ObjectId branchId = repository.resolve(toBranch);
+			if (branchId != null) {
+				branchTip = revWalk.lookupCommit(branchId);
+			}
+			ObjectId srcId = repository.resolve(src);
+			if (srcId != null) {
+				srcTip = revWalk.lookupCommit(srcId);
+			}
+		}
+
+
+		abstract MergeStatus _canMerge() throws IOException;
+
+
+		MergeStatus canMerge() {
+			try {
+				prepare();
+				if (branchTip == null) {
+					return MergeStatus.MISSING_INTEGRATION_BRANCH;
+				}
+				if (srcTip == null) {
+					return MergeStatus.MISSING_SRC_BRANCH;
+				}
+				if (revWalk.isMergedInto(srcTip, branchTip)) {
+					// already merged
+					return MergeStatus.ALREADY_MERGED;
+				}
+				// determined by specific integration strategy
+				return _canMerge();
+
+			} catch (NullPointerException e) {
+				LOGGER.error("Failed to determine canMerge", e);
+			} catch (IOException e) {
+				LOGGER.error("Failed to determine canMerge", e);
+			} finally {
+				if (revWalk != null) {
+					revWalk.close();
+				}
+			}
+
+			return MergeStatus.NOT_MERGEABLE;
+		}
+
+
+		abstract MergeResult _merge(PersonIdent committer, String message) throws IOException;
+
+
+		MergeResult merge(PersonIdent committer, String message) {
+			try {
+				prepare();
+				if (revWalk.isMergedInto(srcTip, branchTip)) {
+					// already merged
+					return new MergeResult(MergeStatus.ALREADY_MERGED, null);
+				}
+				// determined by specific integration strategy
+				return _merge(committer, message);
+
+			} catch (IOException e) {
+				LOGGER.error("Failed to merge", e);
+			} finally {
+				if (revWalk != null) {
+					revWalk.close();
+				}
+			}
+
+			return new MergeResult(MergeStatus.FAILED, null);
+		}
+	}
+
+
+	private static class FastForwardOnly extends IntegrationStrategy {
+		FastForwardOnly(Repository repository, String src, String toBranch) {
+			super(repository, src, toBranch);
+		}
+
+		@Override
+		MergeStatus _canMerge() throws IOException {
+			if (revWalk.isMergedInto(branchTip, srcTip)) {
+				// fast-forward
+				return MergeStatus.MERGEABLE;
+			}
+
+			return MergeStatus.NOT_MERGEABLE;
+		}
+
+		@Override
+		MergeResult _merge(PersonIdent committer, String message) throws IOException {
+			if (! revWalk.isMergedInto(branchTip, srcTip)) {
+				// is not fast-forward
+				return new MergeResult(MergeStatus.FAILED, null);
+			}
+
+			mergeCommit = srcTip;
+			refLogMessage = "merge " + src + ": Fast-forward";
+			operationMessage = MessageFormat.format("fast-forwarding {0} to commit {1}", srcTip.getName(), branchTip.getName());
+
+			return new MergeResult(MergeStatus.MERGED, srcTip.getName());
+		}
+	}
+
+	private static class MergeIfNecessary extends IntegrationStrategy {
+		MergeIfNecessary(Repository repository, String src, String toBranch) {
+			super(repository, src, toBranch);
+		}
+
+		@Override
+		MergeStatus _canMerge() throws IOException {
+			if (revWalk.isMergedInto(branchTip, srcTip)) {
+				// fast-forward
+				return MergeStatus.MERGEABLE;
+			}
+
+			RecursiveMerger merger = (RecursiveMerger) MergeStrategy.RECURSIVE.newMerger(repository, true);
+			boolean canMerge = merger.merge(branchTip, srcTip);
+			if (canMerge) {
+				return MergeStatus.MERGEABLE;
+			}
+
+			return MergeStatus.NOT_MERGEABLE;
+		}
+
+		@Override
+		MergeResult _merge(PersonIdent committer, String message) throws IOException {
+			if (revWalk.isMergedInto(branchTip, srcTip)) {
+				// fast-forward
+				mergeCommit = srcTip;
+				refLogMessage = "merge " + src + ": Fast-forward";
+				operationMessage = MessageFormat.format("fast-forwarding {0} to commit {1}", branchTip.getName(), srcTip.getName());
+
+				return new MergeResult(MergeStatus.MERGED, srcTip.getName());
+			}
+
 			RecursiveMerger merger = (RecursiveMerger) MergeStrategy.RECURSIVE.newMerger(repository, true);
 			boolean merged = merger.merge(branchTip, srcTip);
 			if (merged) {
@@ -2555,20 +2714,9 @@
 					ObjectId mergeCommitId = odi.insert(commitBuilder);
 					odi.flush();
 
-					// set the merge ref to the merge commit
-					RevCommit mergeCommit = revWalk.parseCommit(mergeCommitId);
-					RefUpdate mergeRefUpdate = repository.updateRef(toBranch);
-					mergeRefUpdate.setNewObjectId(mergeCommitId);
-					mergeRefUpdate.setRefLogMessage("commit: " + mergeCommit.getShortMessage(), false);
-					RefUpdate.Result rc = mergeRefUpdate.update();
-					switch (rc) {
-					case FAST_FORWARD:
-						// successful, clean merge
-						break;
-					default:
-						throw new GitBlitException(MessageFormat.format("Unexpected result \"{0}\" when merging commit {1} into {2} in {3}",
-								rc.name(), srcTip.getName(), branchTip.getName(), repository.getDirectory()));
-					}
+					mergeCommit = revWalk.parseCommit(mergeCommitId);
+					refLogMessage = "commit: " + mergeCommit.getShortMessage();
+					operationMessage = MessageFormat.format("merging commit {0} into {1}", srcTip.getName(), branchTip.getName());
 
 					// return the merge commit id
 					return new MergeResult(MergeStatus.MERGED, mergeCommitId.getName());
@@ -2576,17 +2724,82 @@
 					odi.close();
 				}
 			}
-		} catch (IOException e) {
-			LOGGER.error("Failed to merge", e);
-		} finally {
-			if (revWalk != null) {
-				revWalk.close();
-			}
+			return new MergeResult(MergeStatus.FAILED, null);
 		}
-		return new MergeResult(MergeStatus.FAILED, null);
 	}
-	
-	
+
+	private static class MergeAlways extends IntegrationStrategy {
+		MergeAlways(Repository repository, String src, String toBranch) {
+			super(repository, src, toBranch);
+		}
+
+		@Override
+		MergeStatus _canMerge() throws IOException {
+			RecursiveMerger merger = (RecursiveMerger) MergeStrategy.RECURSIVE.newMerger(repository, true);
+			boolean canMerge = merger.merge(branchTip, srcTip);
+			if (canMerge) {
+				return MergeStatus.MERGEABLE;
+			}
+
+			return MergeStatus.NOT_MERGEABLE;
+		}
+
+		@Override
+		MergeResult _merge(PersonIdent committer, String message) throws IOException {
+			RecursiveMerger merger = (RecursiveMerger) MergeStrategy.RECURSIVE.newMerger(repository, true);
+			boolean merged = merger.merge(branchTip, srcTip);
+			if (merged) {
+				// create a merge commit and a reference to track the merge commit
+				ObjectId treeId = merger.getResultTreeId();
+				ObjectInserter odi = repository.newObjectInserter();
+				try {
+					// Create a commit object
+					CommitBuilder commitBuilder = new CommitBuilder();
+					commitBuilder.setCommitter(committer);
+					commitBuilder.setAuthor(committer);
+					commitBuilder.setEncoding(Constants.CHARSET);
+					if (StringUtils.isEmpty(message)) {
+						message = MessageFormat.format("merge {0} into {1}", srcTip.getName(), branchTip.getName());
+					}
+					commitBuilder.setMessage(message);
+					commitBuilder.setParentIds(branchTip.getId(), srcTip.getId());
+					commitBuilder.setTreeId(treeId);
+
+					// Insert the merge commit into the repository
+					ObjectId mergeCommitId = odi.insert(commitBuilder);
+					odi.flush();
+
+					mergeCommit = revWalk.parseCommit(mergeCommitId);
+					refLogMessage = "commit: " + mergeCommit.getShortMessage();
+					operationMessage = MessageFormat.format("merging commit {0} into {1}", srcTip.getName(), branchTip.getName());
+
+					// return the merge commit id
+					return new MergeResult(MergeStatus.MERGED, mergeCommitId.getName());
+				} finally {
+					odi.close();
+				}
+			}
+
+			return new MergeResult(MergeStatus.FAILED, null);
+		}
+	}
+
+
+	private static class IntegrationStrategyFactory {
+		static IntegrationStrategy create(MergeType mergeType, Repository repository, String src, String toBranch) {
+			switch(mergeType) {
+			case FAST_FORWARD_ONLY:
+				return new FastForwardOnly(repository, src, toBranch);
+			case MERGE_IF_NECESSARY:
+				return new MergeIfNecessary(repository, src, toBranch);
+			case MERGE_ALWAYS:
+				return new MergeAlways(repository, src, toBranch);
+			}
+			return null;
+		}
+	}
+
+
 	/**
 	 * Returns the LFS URL for the given oid 
 	 * Currently assumes that the Gitblit Filestore is used 
diff --git a/src/main/java/com/gitblit/wicket/GitBlitWebApp.properties b/src/main/java/com/gitblit/wicket/GitBlitWebApp.properties
index a215b4d..b3cbef8 100644
--- a/src/main/java/com/gitblit/wicket/GitBlitWebApp.properties
+++ b/src/main/java/com/gitblit/wicket/GitBlitWebApp.properties
@@ -660,6 +660,7 @@
 gb.body = body
 gb.mergeSha = mergeSha
 gb.mergeTo = merge to
+gb.mergeType = merge type
 gb.labels = labels
 gb.reviewers = reviewers
 gb.voters = voters
@@ -671,6 +672,7 @@
 gb.serverDoesNotAcceptPatchsets = This server does not accept patchsets.
 gb.ticketIsClosed = This ticket is closed.
 gb.mergeToDescription = default integration branch for merging ticket patchsets
+gb.mergeTypeDescription = merge a ticket fast-forward only, if necessary, or always with a merge commit to the integration branch
 gb.anonymousCanNotPropose = Anonymous users can not propose patchsets.
 gb.youDoNotHaveClonePermission = You are not permitted to clone this repository.
 gb.myTickets = my tickets
diff --git a/src/main/java/com/gitblit/wicket/pages/EditRepositoryPage.html b/src/main/java/com/gitblit/wicket/pages/EditRepositoryPage.html
index 7a55b9f..2c881ef 100644
--- a/src/main/java/com/gitblit/wicket/pages/EditRepositoryPage.html
+++ b/src/main/java/com/gitblit/wicket/pages/EditRepositoryPage.html
@@ -123,7 +123,8 @@
 			<div wicket:id="acceptNewTickets"></div>
 			<div wicket:id="requireApproval"></div>
 			<div wicket:id="mergeTo"></div>
-		
+			<div wicket:id="mergeType"></div>
+
 		</div>
 				
 		<!-- federation -->
diff --git a/src/main/java/com/gitblit/wicket/pages/EditRepositoryPage.java b/src/main/java/com/gitblit/wicket/pages/EditRepositoryPage.java
index 6bcf6f5..bf3eea8 100644
--- a/src/main/java/com/gitblit/wicket/pages/EditRepositoryPage.java
+++ b/src/main/java/com/gitblit/wicket/pages/EditRepositoryPage.java
@@ -56,6 +56,7 @@
 import com.gitblit.Constants.AuthorizationControl;
 import com.gitblit.Constants.CommitMessageRenderer;
 import com.gitblit.Constants.FederationStrategy;
+import com.gitblit.Constants.MergeType;
 import com.gitblit.Constants.RegistrantType;
 import com.gitblit.GitBlitException;
 import com.gitblit.Keys;
@@ -458,6 +459,11 @@
 				getString("gb.mergeToDescription"),
 				new PropertyModel<String>(repositoryModel, "mergeTo"),
 				availableBranches));
+		form.add(new ChoiceOption<MergeType>("mergeType",
+				getString("gb.mergeType"),
+				getString("gb.mergeTypeDescription"),
+				new PropertyModel<MergeType>(repositoryModel, "mergeType"),
+				Arrays.asList(MergeType.values())));
 
 		//
 		// RECEIVE
diff --git a/src/main/java/com/gitblit/wicket/pages/TicketPage.java b/src/main/java/com/gitblit/wicket/pages/TicketPage.java
index cd049f4..e213396 100644
--- a/src/main/java/com/gitblit/wicket/pages/TicketPage.java
+++ b/src/main/java/com/gitblit/wicket/pages/TicketPage.java
@@ -1405,14 +1405,14 @@
 
 		boolean allowMerge;
 		if (repository.requireApproval) {
-			// rpeository requires approval
+			// repository requires approval
 			allowMerge = ticket.isOpen() && ticket.isApproved(patchset);
 		} else {
-			// vetos are binding
+			// vetoes are binding
 			allowMerge = ticket.isOpen() && !ticket.isVetoed(patchset);
 		}
 
-		MergeStatus mergeStatus = JGitUtils.canMerge(getRepository(), patchset.tip, ticket.mergeTo);
+		MergeStatus mergeStatus = JGitUtils.canMerge(getRepository(), patchset.tip, ticket.mergeTo, repository.mergeType);
 		if (allowMerge) {
 			if (MergeStatus.MERGEABLE == mergeStatus) {
 				// patchset can be cleanly merged to integration branch OR has already been merged